August 29, 2022 By Carol Meyer
To celebrate the Town’s love of the harbor, the Harbor Development Committee, Bathing Beach Trustees, Hingham Lions Club with Showcase Cinemas, Hingham Maritime Center, along with dozens of other town departments and sponsors have come together to plan a day-long Hingham Harbor Celebration Day on Saturday Sept. 10.
During COVID, many Hingham residents “rediscovered” Hingham Harbor, one of the top treasures identified in the town’s 2020 Master Plan.
The harbor front has changed during the last half century, moving from industrial use to recreational use, and even within the last decade the look of the waterfront has improved.
Under the championship of the Harbor Development Committee and the Bathing Beach Trustees, the beginnings of a brick walkway have been installed, a new community bathing beach house incorporating the Beach House restaurant was built, and most recently the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries re-built the Town boat ramp.
The town is also hard at work to permit the rebuilding of Town Pier, Barnes Wharf, and the Veteran’s Park seawall, and the creation of a new master plan specific to the harbor is well underway, creating a vision of what may be possible in the decade ahead.
On Saturday, September 10, rain or shine, the day will start off at 10 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting of the new boat ramp. A soloist provided by South Shore Conservatory will open the ceremonies by singing the National Anthem. Hingham’s own Harbormaster Ken Corson will then cut the ceremonial ribbon with various government officials in attendance including: the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, the Hingham Select Board, Town Administrator Tom Mayo, Town Engineer J.R. Frey, State Representative Joan Meschino, State Senator Patrick O’Connor, and several others.
Harbormaster Corson has been a strong advocate in helping to secure funding for the boat ramp project. According to Corson, “The Hingham boat ramp is one of only a few public boat ramps that provide access to Boston Harbor and surrounding waters and is a critical access point for Hingham boaters and for the safety of all our South Shore mariners.”
The ribbon-cutting will be followed by a blessing of the Harbormaster fleet by members of Hingham’s clergy. Father Tim Schenck, Rector of The Episcopal Parish of St. John the Evangelist, will lead the blessing of the fleet, including the town’s newest rescue and safety boat that was secured with a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.
Bringing back a tradition loved by all ages, Touch-a-Boat will start around 10:30 a.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 be host an “Under the Harvest Moon” Harbor Feast.
MacKinnon notes, “as non-profits, we’re grateful to have the support of the Town.”
Ted Matthews, President of Hingham High School Rowing notes that “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. Many have gone on to win 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 the events coming up.”
Children’s activities from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. will include a Bouncy Castle, face painting, balloons, and possibly a bubble station.
This portion of the day is courtesy of generous Hingham sponsors, including Joanne Conway from William-Raveis real estate, Lauren Mahoney of Compass real estate, and the Hingham Rotary Club. Joanne Conway notes that “along with wonderful schools, what draws people to Hingham is its accessibility to participate in water sports and recreational activity.” According to Lauren Mahoney, “Hingham’s desirability is in part due to the harbor front, and I’m glad to be part of kicking off the inaugural Harbor Celebration Day.”
Dewitt DeLawter of the Hingham Rotary Club echoes Conway’s and 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 pleased to be a sponsor of Hingham’s Harbor Celebration Day.
Additionally, during this time, the Hingham Recreation Department will be providing organized games, similar to the ones provided during their summer recreation season. According to Mark Thorell, director of the Hingham Recreation Department, “The Recreation Department is happy to participate in Harbor Celebration Day, sharing our resources with the town during what we expect will be a great event.”
At 1 p.m., South Shore Conservatory will offer a performance at the harbor band stand. Like the harbor, South Shore Conservatory is another one of Hingham’s “hidden gems.” According to Robert Cinnante, President: “Our mission is to provide access to great music education and performance experiences. Performing at the band stand for Harbor Celebration Day is just one of many ways we support the Town of Hingham, which is home to one of our two campuses.”
To cap off the early afternoon celebrations, the Hingham Historical Society will provide 30-minute harbor walking tours starting near the band stand gazebo at 1 p.m., with the last tour starting at 2:30 p.m. 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 10th!”
As detailed by Marco Boer, Chair of the Harbor Development Committee, the HDC and Bathing Beach Trustees have been working in close partnership with the Hingham Lions Club and Hingham Maritime Center to coordinate a day full of events to celebrate the harbor.
“This is just the first part of the day. With the Hingham Lions Club having obtained permission to launch their afternoon music and food events, and Hingham Maritime Center’s annual Harbor Feast celebration starting at 6 p.m., this is going to be one of the best Fall days in town,” Boer said. Vice-Chair of the Harbor Development Committee William Reardon notes that “the evening fireworks provided by the Hingham Lions Club and sponsored by Showcase Cinemas will cap off a spectacular day.”
The evening portion of the event will be lively with live music from 4-8 at Hingham Harbor including a classic rock band with special guests from 4-6 and capping off with Vibrant, a nine-piece band including horns and keys as well as two vocalists beginning at 6:00pm.
The long-awaited fireworks show, presented by Showcase Cinemas, will begin after sunset as soon as it's dark enough for a spectacular show.
To purchase Harbor Feast tickets, visit https://www.hinghammaritime.org/events
The full schedule for the day is as follows: Saturday, September 10th
