June 29, 2026 Submitted By Meg Tracy / 4th of July Parade Committee
There are few traditions that bring the Hingham community together quite like the annual Fourth of July Parade. Each year, neighbors line the streets dressed in red, white, and blue, celebrating not only our nation’s independence but also the spirit, pride, and sense of community that make Hingham such a special place to call home.
This year’s parade theme, “Happy 250 USA!”, celebrates our country’s upcoming 250th anniversary, a milestone that reminds us of our shared history and the values that continue to unite us. As always, Hingham’s commitment to excellence ensures a memorable celebration for residents and visitors alike, drawing families and friends from neighboring towns to join in the festivities.
A special highlight of this year’s parade will be the recognition of Jim Murphy as Grand Marshal. A legendary Hinghamite and former longtime Chair of the 4th of July Parade Committee, Jim stepped down from his leadership role last year after dedicating 18 years of service to the parade, including 15 years as Chair. Yet Jim’s impact on Hingham reaches far beyond the Fourth of July. Over decades of community involvement, Jim has served in leadership roles on the Conservation Commission during several transformative projects in town, volunteered with community organizations, supported local emergency preparedness efforts, and spent years bringing neighbors together through countless civic and neighborhood initiatives. From creating the Parade’s iconic 50 Flags Campaign and helping bring the Veteran of the Year recognition into the parade, to his broader dedication to preserving and strengthening the Hingham community, Jim has embodied the spirit of volunteerism that makes this town special. For the totality of his service to Hingham, it is only fitting that we honor him as this year’s Grand Marshal.
The parade also proudly continues its tradition of recognizing and honoring those who have served our country. This year, we are pleased to celebrate Bob Beal as Hingham’s Veteran of the Year, recognizing his service and contributions to both country and community. Honoring our veterans has long been a cornerstone of Hingham’s Fourth of July celebration, serving as a reminder that our freedoms are built upon the sacrifice, service, and dedication of those who answered the call to serve. We look forward to celebrating Bob and all veterans who help make this tradition so meaningful.
The parade route will once again be filled with colorful, creative, and memorable floats, each reflecting the community’s enthusiasm and desire to entertain. Spectators can also look forward to a variety of marching bands, including an exciting new drumline performance. Classic cars, local sports teams, first responders, community organizations, and historical societies will all return to proudly showcase their civic spirit and hometown pride. This will be Paul Callahan’s second year marching as Uncle Sam, following in the footsteps of longtime Uncle Sam George Ford, who stepped down after the 2024 event.
The continued success of the parade would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. For the third consecutive year, Fidelity Investments Hingham Investor Center returns as the parade’s Premier Sponsor, playing a hugely impactful role in helping us deliver the high-quality celebration our community has come to expect. Their steadfast support helps ensure that this treasured tradition continues to thrive. We are also deeply grateful for the longstanding commitment of A.W. Perry, whose continued generosity over many years has helped sustain and strengthen the parade for generations of Hingham families. The Fourth of July Parade is truly a community effort, and our sponsors play an essential role in making it all possible.
Another treasured Fourth of July tradition is the annual Button Design Contest for Hingham’s fifth-grade students. This year’s winning design was created by Kerrin McKinnies from Mrs. Sacco’s fifth-grade class at South School. We encourage the community to rally around Kerrin by purchasing and proudly wearing this year’s button as a symbol of community spirit and support.
At its heart, the Hingham Fourth of July Parade remains a true people’s parade, made possible by volunteers, sponsors, participants, and residents who believe in preserving this tradition for future generations. Their dedication keeps the celebration thriving and brings people back year after year to line Hingham’s red, white, and blue streets in celebration of our nation, our town, and one another.
We look forward to celebrating with you on the Fourth of July. Happy 250 USA!
Further details about parade route, detours and parking restrictions can be found on the Town Website: https://www.hingham-ma.gov/650/Parade-Route