4th of July Fireworks - South of Boston 2013

Let the summer begin!  Here is a listing of the 2013 July 4th fireworks and celebrations for South of Boston and the South Shore. More events will be added, but if you know of any fireworks or town celebrations, please comment and share them below.  Happy July Fourth to you and your family, friends and neighbors!

Braintree MA 4th of July Celebration
Come celebrate the nation’s birthday with the Braintree 4th of July Celebration Parade!  The Parade is Saturday, June 29, 2013 and begins at the Hollis Elementary School at 11:45 am.

A celebration at Braintree High School fields begins at  2:00pm , featuring food, carnival rides, a drum corps exhibition, and a live music starting at 3:30pm. Fireworks at 10:00pm. 

Fireworks over Wessagusset Beach, Weymouth MA

Bridgewater MA fireworks 4th of July carnival and celebration
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Parade: Downtown – 10:00 AM
Arts & Music Festival: Bridgewater State University On “The Quad” at Boyden Hall
10:00AM-2:00PM (immediately after parade) Call 508-443-4155 for more information.
Fireworks: Legion Field (Rte. 18) – 9:30 PM
Annual favorites: First Parish Unitarian Universalist at 50 School Street traditionally sells hand-squeezed fresh lemonade, food, and hosts a book sale during the Arts & Music Festival. Be sure to make a quick stop on your way over to the festival, where they will also have an information table set up.

Duxbury MA 4th of July celebration
July 4th: DEF Road Race
July 4th: Annual Parade
July 5th: South Shore Bay Band Concert
July 6th: Beach Party Note: Due to the projected closing of the beach through the 6th, the final details of the party are being worked-out. We will update the site as we have more information.
July 7th: Cornerstone Lodge Breakfast

Hanover MA Fireworks
Hanover will have a Fireworks celebration on Saturday June 15th at 10pm at Sylvester Field on Route 139.

Hingham MA firework and Independence Day celebrations
2013 Schedule
Saturday, June 29th, Dusk - Fireworks over Hingham Harbor sponsored by the Lions Club, festivities starting at 6pm (Rain Date, June 30th).
Thursday, July 4th, 7:00 AM - Road Race sponsored by the Hingham Recreation Department.
Thursday, July 4th, 7:00 – 10 am - Pancake Breakfast hosted jointly by Kiwanis and Lions Club.
Thursday, July 4th, 9:00 am - Old Ship Meeting House open to visitors 1 hour before and after parade.
Thursday, July 4th, 10:00 AM - The Parade! This year’s theme is “Stars and Stripes Forever!” commencing from Hingham High School.

Plymouth MA firework and 4th of July celebration
July 4, 2013 – 9:30 am
Begins at Hedge Road, North Plymouth
Concert: Traditional New England 4th of July concert on the waterfront with the Legion Bud Band at 7:30pm.  FREE to the public.
Fireworks: If funding is secured the fireworks will begin between at about 9:00 p.m. The fireworks are lit off on a barge in Plymouth Harbor and can be seen from many vantage points around town.

Quincy MA - 62nd Flag Day Parade and Celebration
Saturday, June 15 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Parade Route and Pageant Field
The 62nd Annual Flag Day Parade and Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013. The parade will kick off at 7:00 p.m. from Coddington Street and works its way through a 1.5 mile route before culminating with a celebration and firework display at Pageant Field. All are encouraged to attend. 

Norton MA - Founder’s Day Fireworks
When and where is the Norton Founder’s Day Picnic & Fireworks?
It’s this Saturday, June 22, 5-9PM behind the Yelle Elementary School. Fireworks at 9:00pm.

Randolph MA 4th of July parade
Tuesday July 3rd
The parade begins at 7 pm at the Boston Higashi School on North Main Street, proceeding down North Main Street to Memorial Parkway. Shut down of North Main Street will begin around 6:15 pm.

Scituate MA fireworksJuly 12, 13 at 10 p.m. over the Cole Parkway.

Sharon MA fireworks and Fourth of July celebrations
A full day of festivities, including fireworks!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013 (rain date Sunday, July 7)
BIG news: we have all *new* food this year, featuring Sharon’s first ever food truck fair, including many of the Boston area’s finest food trucks. More details coming soon. Plan to eat dinner at the lake, even if you aren’t planning to stay for the fireworks!

Weymouth MA 4th of July fireworks and family celebration
July 3rd, family entertainment, DJ, food court, novelty concessions and inflatables beginning at 5:00PM.  At 9:30PM watch the fireworks over Wessagusset Beach.

Whitman Independence Day eventJuly 4th Road race 8:15am and then family day 10am-1pm

Boston Party Cruise on July 4th
A Great way to celebrate Independence Day
Don your red, white, and blue and celebrate the Fourth of July in Boston, Massachusetts on the water. Boston was the site of many of the most important events in the American Revolution so the city hosts some of the best Independence Day parties on the East Coast. This cruise party will be no exception — it’s got a a cash bar where you can order your preferred cocktails, a live DJ serving up the best sounds from start to finish, and an atmosphere that truly can’t be beat aboard a luxurious yacht.

Contact me for a FREE Home Market AnalysisDavid Foley
Keller Williams Realty
617-388-0861
www.David-Foley.com

Does it look like the housing market on the south shore is improving?

Well, we've been reading positive reports about the housing recovery in the national media lately.  Let's take a look at some June numbers* to assess how the south shore is doing.  There are definitely positive numbers to maybe get excited about.

The market trends:

Sales of single family homes and condos on the south shore in June, 2012 were up 18% (536 units) over June, 2011 (455 units), which is a very positive sign.  Prices, however, were down slightly (1%) in June, 2012 compared to June, 2011.



Inventory of homes for sale remains a concern as we see a 14% decrease in homes available in June, 2012 (2894 units) compared to June, 2011 (3361 units).  This translates to 5.4 months of supply and the market is considered balanced when there is between 7.5 and 8.5 months of supply.

The average days on market decreased three days in June, 2012 (149 days) compared to June, 2011 (152 days) while the number of June, 2012 pending single family homes and condos put under agreement was 31% above the same period in 2011 (575 units in June, 2012 versus 439 units in June, 2011).

Looking at some standouts in individual towns:
Cohasset (125%), Duxbury (137.5%), Hanson (166.67%), and Pembroke (200%) were the percentage winners in single family home sales in June, 2012 versus June, 2011. Overall, out of the 18 towns covered by the Plymouth and South Shore Association of Realtors, 13 towns were even or ahead of single family homes sold in June, 2012 compared to June, 2011.  Only 7 towns, though, showed a median price increase in June, 2012 compared to June, 2011.

Condo sales were up 28.57% in June, 2012 compared to June, 2011 while the median price rose 6.94% over the same time period.

Mortgage rates remain near record lows so this could be a good time to sell or buy a home on the south shore.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in selling their home or purchasing a home, please have them contact me for a free one hour consultation with no obligations.  Contact David Foley at 617-388-0861 or send an email to davidfoley@comcast.net today!!

* Based on information provided to and compiled by MLS Property Information Network Inc., covering the periods June 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011 and June 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012.

Contact me for a FREE Home Market Analysis
David Foley Realty - Keller Williams
617-388-0861
www.David-Foley.com

Which south shore town has your favorite Farmers Market?

One of our favorite ways to spend a summer weekend day is to get up early, go for a bike ride, grab a coffee and then hit one of the great Farmers Markets in Braintree, Hingham, Weymouth, Quincy or other Boston south shore towns.  Each market offers unique local vendors and you can buy great quality products while supporting local businesses.  I always leave a Farmers Market satisfied that I helped my community while buying fresh vegetables, fruits, plants or seafood that I normally would buy at a large chain.

Here is the 2012 Farmers Market schedule for towns on the south shore:

• Abington Farmers Market - Griffin Dairy on Rte 58, 9:00 a.m. - noon, Saturdays through September 15
• Braintree Farmers Market - Town Hall, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Saturdays through October 27
 



Braintree Farmers Market - July 2012


• Cohasset Farmers Market - Cohasset Commons, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Thursdays through October 18
• Duxbury Farmers Market - Tarklin Community Center, 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Thursdays through September 13
• Hanover Farmers Market - Hanover Green, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Wednesdays through October 10




Hingham Farmers Market - July 2012


• Hingham Farmers Market - Bathing Beach on Rte 3A, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Saturdays through November 17
• Hull Farmers Market - Nantasket Ave, 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Fridays through October 17
• Marshfield Farmers Market - Marshfield Fairgrounds, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Fridays through October 12
• Milton Farmers Market - Wharf Street off Adams Street, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Thursdays through November 1
• Pembroke Farmers Market - Pembroke Town Green, 9:00 a.m. - noon, Saturdays through October 6
• Plymouth Farmers Market - Plymouth Plantation, 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Thursdays through October 25
• Quincy Farmers Market - John Hancock Municipal Parking Lot in Quincy Center, 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Fridays through November 16
• Scituate Farmers Market - Country Way and Henry Turner Bailey Road, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays
• Weymouth Farmers Market - Behind Town Hall on Middle Street, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Saturdays through October 20

So, support living on the south shore buy visiting your local Farmers Market and enjoy the best of what the south shore has to offer.  I happen to enjoy the Hingham Farmers Market, which south shore town has your favorite?

Hingham Farmers Market - July 2012

Contact me today to begin enjoying south shore living!
David Foley Realtor - Keller Williams
davidfoley@comcast.net
(617) 388-0861
View my other listings including homes for sale in Braintree MA

Help me win the grand prize!

OK - my Team Leader has challenged us to a competition. The agent with the most leads by the end of today wins the grand prize. You know me...I want to win!!

Do you know of anyone looking to buy, sell, invest, lease, etc.? ANY lead counts.

Thanks!

Contact me for a FREE Home Market Analysis
David Foley
Keller Williams Realty
617-388-0861
www.David-Foley.com

What are your favorite “All American” restaurants on the South Shore?

I use Open Table occasionally to make restaurant reservations and received an email from them titled, "Voted Top 10 American Restaurants" in honor of the Fourth of July.  The restaurants listed are all great restaurants, Meritage in Boston, Simon Pearce in Vermont, among other very good high end eateries.  The list, though, was not what I was expecting.

However, when I think about "All American" Restaurants, none of these 10 came to my mind, especially around July 4th. I was thinking of the locally owned places where I sometimes go to breakfast or lunch like Kristin's or Ashley's Breakfast in Braintree, Smiths or Stanney's in Holbrook, Jimmy's Broad Street Diner in Weymouth, or McKays in Quincy.  Dinner spots like The Snug in Hingham, Denley's Gardens in Weymouth, Spazios in Braintree, or Grumpy Whites in Quincy.  When I think about American Restaurants, I think about hometown places in our communities that are independently owned and operated. Places where the owner is working the front door or in the kitchen; where you're greeted as family when you walk in, even if it is your first time there. I think of places where I can have a good honest meal for an honest dollar made and served by hard working local folks.


Jimmy's Broad Street Diner in Weymouth

I have frequented all of these places, as well as many others just like them on the south shore (sorry for the omissions), and can say I felt great about spending my money there.  I never felt cheated like I might at a chain or a more pretentious high end eatery. I certainly never left hungry!!  Locally owned and operated businesses are what makes America great. They are what makes setting up home in communities like Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham and others on the south shore so special.  So, with all due respect to Open Table, I'll choose my local south shore restaurant on the Fourth of July or any other day!

Contact me for a FREE Home Market Analysis
David Foley
Keller Williams Realty
617-388-0861
www.David-Foley.com