Yankee Homecoming: Newburyport's Signature Event

It's the biggest event of Newburyport's summer and has been for more than four decades now. Anyone from around here knows that description fits a festival called Yankee Homecoming, a nine-day civic celebration that will commence its 42nd renewal on July 31.

Between then and Aug. 8, the city will become party central. It's brought more than one person to town to stay _ and brings thousands more back for a visit year after year.

Yankee Homecoming began in 1958 as a way to inject a little spark into the moribund economy of what most locals thought of as a dying city. Newburyport's economy has bloomed in the intervening years and Homecoming has prospered right along with it.

The celebration has a theme each year, and General Chairman Tom O'Hearn has decided to make the 1999 the year to "Honor Your Heroes."

O'Hearn and the organizing committee plan to honor local heroes, nominated by area residents, during Yankee Homecoming.

There is a little something for everyone: music, food, pageantry, sports and games, arts and crafts, fireworks and family fun.

There is continuous music, and food, all day in Market Square, the heart of Newburyport's downtown, and there are concerts every evening in scenic Market Landing Park overlooking the Merrimack River.

Another event to watch for all week is a large-scale chess game that will be taking place all week in Market Landing Park.

Each day of the festival has a theme or major signature event but there are lots of smaller events, too, each with its own loyal following.

Some events have been juggled a bit, such as the All-American Soap Box Derby, which was on Opening Day last year and has been switched to the second Saturday of Homecoming, Aug. 7.

In addition to live music, Market Square will be the focal point of a number events downtown, including crafts and flower shows, and the famous sidewalk sales.

Old Fashioned Sunday, Aug. 1, takes place on Bartlet Mall, a 19th century park graced by weeping willows and a swan fountain. It's an day picnic and everyone's invited.

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, world-class runners from all over the region take part in the Lions Club 10-mile road race. There's usually a celebrity or two in the crowd of runners that typically numbers 2,000-plus.

Saturday, Aug. 7, is Family Day at Mausdlay State Park, featuring the Teddy Bear Parade. It will also be the day for a new event, a veterans' appreciation breakfast at the Elks Lodge, which will be followed by a display of military equipment at the Plum Island Airport.

And Sunday, Aug. 8, is the Jimmy Day Parade, a tradition that pre-dates the Yankee Homecoming by 10 years.

Before the parade, on Sunday morning, there will be the running of the High Street Mile, starting at Atkinson Common park and ending near Newburyport High School. It's a straight run along one of America's most scenic streets.

The biggest draw of the week is likely to be on Aug. 7, Saturday night's firework's show, starting with a concert by U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty at 7:30 on the waterfront and the fireworks at 9:15 from Cashman Park.

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