Swampscott Independence Day parade in the works

SWAMPSCOTT-The annual Fourth of July Hometown Parade will be held on June 27 at 4:30 p.m.The parade will step off from the former Temple Israel parking lot on Humphrey Street and march to Town Hall. Any group or organization that would like to participate in the parade should contact Pattie Costin at 781-888-1077 or Marla McDougall at 781-592-5441.The annual Strawberry Festival, which is sponsored by Big Blue football and the Gridiron Club, will also take place June 27 from 5-7 p.m. on Town Hall lawn. The band Shufflemode will perform on Town Hall lawn from 7-8:30 p.m. The concert will be followed by the free showing of a movie outside in Linscott Park.Area businesses and community groups will be on hand to sell their wares throughout the event, including Swampscott Park for Off-Leash Time (SPOT). Face painting will be offered by “Paint the Moon Blue”The annual Fourth of July fireworks will be held on July 3 in conjunction with Lynn. Administrative Assistant Maureen Shultz, who is coordinating fundraising for the fireworks, said the town needs to raise $30,000 to pay for the pyrotechnic display.?We have raised about $9,000 so far,” Shultz said. “We’re doing pretty well. I think we’re a little ahead of where we were at this time last year.”The Fourth of July Committee has Fourth of July T-shirts on sale for $12 and Swampscott visors for $4. Both items are available in Town Hall and will also be on sale during the Strawberry Festival. Anyone who would like to make a donation for the fireworks can send a check or money order made payable to the Fourth of July Committee to Swampscott Town Hall, 22 Monument Ave., Swampscott 01902.