Celebrating freedom: Peabody s 85th annual July 4th Celebration years ago
Peabody celebrated the Fourth in style. Many activities took place at Peabody City Park during the day. Hundreds of folks lined the parade route on Walnut Street for the annual holiday parade in the evening, then migrated to the park to get settled in for the big fireworks show.
TOP: Peabody Main Street Association decked out the firecracker red pickup belonging to Main Street board member Jacob Marshall. Marshall's out-of-town guests did the candy-tossing honors along the parade route.
MIDDLE LEFT: Richard Holm spent part of July 4th afternoon putting the finishing touches on one of the 16 set pieces to be fired as part of the big show after dark. Holm has helped build the ground displays since the 1970s.
MIDDLE CENTER: Ashley Weems and her dog Penny pose for the camera after the dog show in the morning at city park. Penny placed first in the large dog catagory. The dog show was sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary.
MIDDLE RIGHT: Allie Simmonds of Newton, dressed in a patriotic outfit, blends in well with the red, white, and blue lawn chair in which she is sitting. Allie and her family were guests at the home of the Bob Marshalls.
BOTTOM LEFT: Ross VanCuren, Peabody, pumps gas to get his horseless carriage ready for the parade on Walnut Street.
BOTTOM CENTER: Howard Hess, Legacy Park resident, decides to try out a roasting ear from one of the vendors at the park who fed the crowds with a variety of food products. Hess reported the corn was tasty, but cost 50 cents more than the last time he made such a purchase.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Marie Potter has her lawn chair in postition for viewing fireworks as the sun goes down on a busy day in Peabody. Potter is from New York and spent the holiday with her daughter, Beth Eldridge and family of Peabody.
