Special reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech at 5:30 p.m. followed by community celebration with music, food vendors, and fireworks

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council invite community members to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Trum Field (541 Broadway) on Wednesday, June 25, starting at 5:30 p.m. (rain date: Friday, June 27, 5:30 p.m.).  

 
This year’s celebration begins with a special program presented in collaboration with the Department of Racial and Social Justice and the Somerville Museum featuring a public reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”.    

Festivities will continue at 6:30 p.m. and will feature music by DJ Desy and funk band Search Party. Food vendors this year include Italian Wizard, Dos Manos Kitchen, and more. At approximately 9 p.m., Mayor Ballantyne will welcome and address the crowd and then start the countdown to the fireworks show. In the event of foul weather, watch the City website or contact 311 starting the day before to check on whether the rain date will be used. The website is at www.somervillema.gov and you can call 311 at 617-666-3311.   

Public Safety and Street Closures  

To ensure public safety and pedestrian access to the event, traffic and parking restrictions will be in place as follows:  

No Parking: 

• Broadway East Bound from Charles E. Ryan Road to Cedar St from 8 a.m. to midnight 

• 8 AM to Midnight – Cedar St (both sides) from Broadway to Murdock St. From 8 a.m. to midnight 

• Charles E. Ryan Road (both sides) from Broadway to the end of the street from 8 a.m. to midnight 

• Franey Road both sides from Cedar St to Charles E. Ryan Road from 3 p.m. to midnight 

• Cedar St both sides from Murdock St. to Morrison Ave. From 3 p.m. to midnight 

• Broadway both sides from Boston Ave to Medford St from 4 p.m. to midnight 

Road Closures: 

• Franey Road is closed to vehicular, cyclist, and pedestrian traffic from 3 p.m. to midnight. Authorized personnel only. 

• Charles E. Ryan Road is closed to all except residents from Broadway to the end of the street from 4 to 6 p.m. 

• Cedar St from Morrison Ave to Broadway is closed to all except residents from 4:30 to 6 p.m. 

• Broadway closed to all vehicular traffic from Boston Ave to Medford St from 5 p.m. to midnight 

• Hinckley St from Fiske Ave to Broadway from 5 p.m. to midnight 

• Cedar Street Morrison to Broadways closed to ALL vehicular traffic (no resident traffic either) from 6 p.m. to midnight. 

• Charles E Ryan Road from Broadway to end of street closed to ALL vehicular traffic (no resident traffic either) from 6 p.m. to midnight. 

• Medford bordering Somerville: 

o   5 PM to Midnight – Williams Street at Winter Hill Road: no access to Broadway from 5 p.m. to midnight 

o   5 PM to Midnight – Williams Street at Albion St.: no access to Winter Hill Road from 5 p.m. to midnight 

MBTA Buses 80 & 89 rerouted from 5 p.m. to midnight. See mbta.com for full detour information. 

For more information on specific street closures, visit: somervilleartscouncil.org/events/fireworks.  
   
Due to the large crowds and loud noise associated with the Fireworks Celebration, the City recommends that attendees leave pets at home and not bring unnecessary bags or backpacks. All bags and backpacks are subject to inspection. For more information, please call 311 (or 617-666-3311), or visit somervillema.gov.