August 23, 2023 Submitted by Harbor Development Committee Chair Marco Boer
To celebrate the town’s love of the harbor, the Harbor Development Committee, Bathing Beach Trustees, and Hingham Maritime Center, along with dozens of other town departments and sponsors, will come together to celebrate the second annual Hingham Harbor Celebration Day on Saturday Sept. 9, from 1:30-4:30 p.m., rain or shine.
The community is invited to participate in a free series of afternoon events for children, teens, and adults, including tours of the harbor and boat rides, a biergarten, professional sand sculpting, Touch-a-Boat, and much more. The annual Harbor Feast Celebration at Hingham Maritime Center will cap off the events that evening. Tickets for this fundraiser are available at https://www.hinghammaritime.org/events.
Hingham Harbor, one of the top treasures identified in the town’s 2020 Master Plan, has continued to see growing use by Hingham residents. This year, the sponsors have aimed to expand the activities to include more teenage-oriented activities, including a dunk tank to try to dunk high school coaches and staff, and perhaps even a Select Board member. There will also be a professional sandcastle sculptor, who will create a TikTok/Instagram worthy backdrop of selfies.
Bringing back a tradition loved by all ages, Touch-a-Boat will start at about 1:30 p.m. Boats will be provided by Hingham Maritime Center, Hingham High School Sailing, Hingham High School Rowing, and the Harbormaster. Staff will be on hand to explain the purpose of the boats, how they work, and how one might be able to participate in a rowing or sailing activity on the harbor. According to Hingham Maritime Center President Liza MacKinnon: “I don’t think there has ever been a time when so many Hingham boards and institutions have come together to celebrate Hingham Harbor. In addition to the day’s activities, in the evening, The Hingham Maritime Center, Hingham High School Rowing Association, and the Hingham High School Sailing Team will host ‘Harbor Feast.’ As non-profits, we appreciate the town’s support.”
Holly Moriarty, President of Hingham High School Rowing Association notes, “Rowing is the second largest sport in Hingham High School, funded mainly by parents and donations. We’re grateful to be able to provide access to this amazing sport; it’s a true differentiator for our students. HHS rowers and coxswains go on to compete at the collegiate level, with a few each year earning scholarships to top tier colleges and universities.”
Joe Griffin, head coach of Hingham High School Sailing concurs with these sentiments: “The sailing team has been actively growing, and we’re dependent upon access to the water from Hingham Maritime Center and the Hingham Yacht Club in the early season to get our students onto the water. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Hingham Harbor than through these upcoming events.”
Young children’s activities will include a Bouncy Castle, face painting, a super-size bubble blowing activity, balloons, life vest fitting sponsored by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and many other games sponsored by MyGym and the South Shore Nature Center.
Hingham’s Bare Cove Marina (next to Red Eye Roasters) will provide rides (contingent on capacity availability) on its launch around the inner harbor to provide a different perspective of the harbor than one gets from land.
For parents, this will be the first year a “Biergarten” will be offered, by Untold Brewing. It will complement food and non-alcoholic drinks available from Hingham’s Beach House Restaurant. The community room adjacent to the Beach House is now also available for rent to for birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, and other activities.
Various town agencies and committees will also be present. The harbormaster and police department will showcase a dive truck, motorcycles, and a drone that can be used for search and rescue. The Hingham Unity Council will have a table to promote their activities, as will the Harbor Development Committee.
The Hingham Historical Society will once again provide free tours around the harbor, including on its new yellow golf cart. Deirdre Anderson, Executive Director of the Hingham Historical Society shared, “The Hingham Historical Society is delighted to contribute to Harbor Celebration Day and share our insights into the active and evolving history of Hingham Harbor. History is core to our Town, and the inner harbor is a vital part of Hingham’s story. Please look for our signs and yellow shirt tour guides on September 9!”
This celebration would not be possible without generous contributions from the sponsors of Harbor Celebration Day, including Lauren Mahoney of Compass real estate, the Hingham Rotary Club, the Blair family, and IT Strategies. Bryce Blair notes that “Along with wonderful schools, what draws people to Hingham is its accessibility to participate in water sports and recreational activities.” According to Lauren Mahoney: “Hingham’s desirability is in part due to the harbor front, and I’m glad to contribute again to the second annual Harbor Celebration Day.” Dewitt DeLawter of the Hingham Rotary Club echoes Mahoney’s sentiment, stating that the Rotary Club’s mission is to provide service above self. As one of the lead sponsors of Hingham’s 4th of July parade, the Rotary Club is happy to be a sponsor of Hingham’s Harbor Celebration Day.
For more information, contact Marco Boer, Chair of the Harbor Development Committee at marcoit@mac.com or Amy Cowan, Vice-Chair, at amy.cowan@me.com