May 27, 2025 Submitted by Marco Boer, Town of Hingham Harbor Development Committee
The Town of Hingham invites the community to Hingham’s first ever drone show on Wednesday night, July 2, 2025. Led by the Town’s Harbor Development Committee in partnership with the Hingham Historical Society, the Hingham Lions Club and with generous underwriting support from the Mike Reilly Classic, the family friendly celebration takes place at Hingham Bathing Beach beginning at 6pm.
Perhaps you saw photographs of the Massachusetts 250 drone show over Boston Harbor to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 18, 2025? Now it’s Hingham’s turn! Gather your family and friends and prepare for the same excitement on July 2nd at a special family-friendly event.
The celebration kicks off at 6PM with Hingham Harbor Beach House opening for extended hours and select food trucks available near the Iron Horse statues. At 7PM, Booty Vortex, one of the South Shore’s favorite bands, will perform from the Band Stand and after dark, the 12-15 minute drone show will begin.
Hingham joins a national trend of investing in drone shows over the traditional July 4th fireworks to minimize air pollution, the release of toxic chemicals and loud explosions that disturb wildlife and those with PTSD or other sensory sensitivities. Oyster Catcher birds nest in Hingham Harbor’s inner islands and provide ecosystem balance for intertidal zones throughout our region. By protecting their nesting sites, we contribute to broader coastal habitat preservation that benefits many species.
The Hingham Lions Club hosted Hingham fireworks for over 25 years and for the last several years have worked closely with the Town of Hingham’s Harbor Development Committee and generous supporters to transfer responsibility for the holiday commemorations and develop a solution that effectively marries celebration and conservation.
In 2025, through the incredible generosity of the Mike Reilly Classic, the Hingham Lions Club and supporters like YOU, the Hingham Harbor Development Committee and the Hingham Historical Society are pleased to produce a family friendly community event to celebrate Independence Day and bring you Hingham’s first drone show.
Drone shows are substantially more expensive than traditional fireworks. To help fund the accompanying music and associated Independence Day celebration costs, we invite you to make a tax-deductible donation and be part of the celebration. Gifts in any amount are welcome.
You can give four ways:
Click on the link
Drone Show: Hingham Celebrates America’s 250th hinghamhistorical.org
Send a check payable to the Hingham Historical Society with Drone Show in the memo. PO Box 434 Hingham MA 02043 or
drop off at the Hingham Heritage Museum, 34 Main St.
or Venmo @Hingham-Historical-Society and type “Drone Show”
About the Town of Hingham Harbor Development Committee
The Town of Hingham Harbor Development Committee consists of seven volunteer citizens appointed by the Town Selectboard and Moderator to consider, discuss, design, and construct facilities that will maximize both active and passive harbor use, appreciation and accessibility by the largest possible cross section of the Town’s citizens.
About the Mike Reilly Classic
The Mike Reilly Classic was established to celebrate the legacy of Michael D. Reilly, a lifelong Hingham resident who had a thirst for life and passed away as a young adult in 2019. The Mike Reilly Classic celebrates Mike’s life and supports scholarships to graduates of Saint Paul School in Hingham who exhibit a commitment to Catholic education.
About the Hingham Lions Club
The Hingham Lions Club is a service-oriented organization with members who volunteer to improve the Greater Hingham area. For over 25 years, the Hingham Lions raised funds for and managed Hingham’s annual July 4th fireworks. They have worked closely with the Town’s Harbor Development Committee to transition from fireworks to a drone show and have provided generous underwriting support.
About the Hingham Historical Society
The Hingham Historical Society is a member and donor supported nonprofit dedicated to promoting American History through the lens of one Colonial town. Founded in 1914, our mission to collect, preserve and promote Hingham history is advanced by our three museums – the Hingham Heritage Museum at Old Derby Academy, the 1686 Old Ordinary and the National Historic Landmark Benjamin Lincoln House and more than 23,000 objects in our Collections. Our museums are conveniently located within walking distance of each other in the heart of Hingham’s historic downtown. As the world commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and in 2026, America’s semiquincentennial, we are invigorated by opportunities to highlight the history of Hingham Massachusetts and its key role in the nation’s founding, to broaden our reach as a vibrant museum and to partner with organizations and sites across the Commonwealth to share stories and promote programs. We believe that by helping to increase historical literacy about the American experience, focused on one of the country’s oldest, most charming towns, we help to preserve democracy.
