A star-spangled night in Salem

By Alan Burke
Staff writer

July 05, 2008 12:02 am

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SALEM — The possibility that Mother Nature might put on her own fireworks may have limited the crowd at last night's Independence Day celebration. But not by much.

Thousands came to soak up music, pyrotechnics and patriotic spirit. Some had special reasons for being there.

By the time orchestra leader Dirk Hillyer tapped his baton, the sky was clear and the lawn in front of the U.S. Custom House filled with folding chairs. "It's not too hot up here," a cheerful Hillyer told the crowd, "and it's not too cold."

People could be seen wandering unhurried, carrying everything from pizzas to fried dough to small poodles. Head gear included hats with flags and hats with tiny red, white and blue pompoms.

"Let's all have a good time," urged Mayor Kim Driscoll. And she got no argument as Hillyer's orchestra, dressed in white suits, began to play "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Claire Gagnon, 83, and Joyce Ward, 73, had a sweeping view from the lawn of the Brookhouse Home For Women, alongside the Custom House. "The fireworks are right behind the Friendship," said Gagnon.

"This is the nicest Fourth of July I've spent," said Ward.

Mainly, both ladies enjoyed people watching as a steady parade passed their front lawn.

"Some of the sights we've seen are hideous," Ward chuckled. Both ladies shuddered as a young boy went by shirtless in the evening chill. But there were plenty of cute babies, too, Ward said. They chortled at the sight of a father and his young son pulled along by two black dogs — looking exactly like father and son dogs. The boy yanked on the big dog while dad handled the baby.

For Benson Abewale, this was his first Independence Day as an American citizen. Born in Nigeria, he lives in Lynn and came to Salem helping to lead a Beverly youth group. Abewale recalled the study required to become a citizen last January. He learned of the sacrifices that led to America's freedom.

"People fought to get their independence from Britain," he said.

Abewale smiled when someone suggested that Nigeria had also obtained its independence from Britain. "I'm proud to be an American," he shouted over the music. "This is a land that is full of opportunity. You don't even have to go to college before you can make some money — if you work hard."

"It's just a nice atmosphere here," said Gerry Jervay of Groveland. She and her husband, David, were looking skyward for an expected military flyover of F-15s.

David, a retired history teacher, nodded, "It sends a chill up your back."

Dan Morgan could have watched from his house, not far from the bandstand. Instead, he found a better perch on the deck of the Friendship, a modern replica of an actual merchant ship built in 1797. A leading volunteer on the ship's crew, Morgan gasped, "Man, the setting. When do you think the last time was that someone stood on a square rigger and watched fireworks? Did they have fireworks back then?"

Someone recalled that the original Fourth of July might have included fireworks. Morgan looked skyward and wondered if he could watch the latest display from high in the rigging, his usual post when Friendship is at sea and under sail.

Stephanie Mack, selling flags in exchange for donations meant to help pay for all this fun, marveled at the atmosphere. "Everybody is very happy." Unlike the Halloween celebration in October, she added, "This one is much more family-oriented."

In addition to the concert, the flyover and the Salem fireworks, she marveled, the crowd could expect a glimpse of the simultaneous Marblehead fireworks across the harbor.

The show mainly draws people from the North Shore and Salem — another contrast to Halloween. But husband, Dave Mack, was quick to recall that one man loves the Salem atmosphere so much that he drives every July all the way from Corning, N.Y. "He drives 400 miles every year."

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