NEWBURYPORT — The sounds of sirens and children’s laughter filled a long stretch of High Street on Sunday as thousands lined the streets to watch the annual Yankee Homecoming Parade. The official end of the annual festival took place hours after Saturday night’s fireworks display that lit up the Merrimack River and miles in every direction.
From the three roads intersection where Sunday’s parade took off from at noon down to the Bartlet Mall, the sidewalks were full of eager parade watchers.
At the Bartlet Mall in particular, hundreds packed together to get ready for the final event of Yankee Homecoming, which had a theme of “Home Sweet Home.”
Many families brought lawn chairs and blankets, while others stood or sat on park benches.
About 12:15 p.m., sirens could be heard from the mall, with kids shouting in excitement as they drew closer.
Eventually, the procession of first responders came into view, led by the Newburyport Fire Department’s vintage Engine 3.
Firefighters and their families waved to the crowd from the vehicles as they blared their sirens and honked their horns.
Next came the Newburyport harbormaster and the U.S. Coast Guard with members of both tossing sweets to the children from boats.
“They’re throwing candy!” one child yelled out in excitement.
Following that, there was a line of vintage cars, including many buggies, convertibles, an old state police car, some old Army trucks and even an ice cream truck.
Wrapping up the first wave, the police came through, led by two officers on motorcycles.
Vehicles from Newbury, South Hampton, West Newbury, Plaistow, Georgetown, Ipswich, Merrimac, Gloucester and more joined the first responder procession, which took about 15 minutes to get past the Bartlet Mall.
After a 25-minute lull, the main body of the parade made its way by the mall about 12:55 p.m., with a banner for the parade leading the way.
“The parade is going, the parade is on!” a child yelled, rounding up her friends.
Toward the front of the procession was a truck supporting The Jimmy Fund.
Trailing close behind were Yankee Homecoming Chair Carole Appleton, Mayor Sean Reardon, state Sen. Bruce Tarr, state Rep. Dawne Shand and multiple city councilors, including Ed Cameron, Ben Harman, Heather Shand, Beth Trach and Lisa Medina Smith.
Music from the American Legion Marching Band, Heavenly Stele Band Hyperdrive, and others filled the air as the parade came through.
All throughout, floats continued tossing candy to the kids, much to their joy.
“Look at all of it” a kid giggled as he tossed some from the street back to his mom.
The floats included a penalty box with some players in it from Newburyport Youth Hockey, a giant bull from Our Neighbors’ Table, a small home from Link House, and the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine from Kaizen Martial Arts.
Museum of Old Newbury Director Bethany Groff Dorau was pushed in a small, old-timey boat by a group of Revolutionary War reenactors.
“Huzzah, huzzah,” Dorau said as she passed the crowd.
Throughout the parade, multiple people came around with carts full of toys for sale and blowing bubbles at the crowd, much to the delight of the kids.
Sitting in a lawn chair in the shade, Newburyport resident Ken LaBrecque shared why he enjoys the parade each year.
“It’s nice to see all the volunteers that work hard on the parade to make it a beautiful event for all the families and children to enjoy,” he said.
The parade ended near the mall about 1:45 p.m.
Appleton thanked all those who came out to enjoy or participate in the parade.
“We have been so grateful for the support and look forward to next year,” Appleton said.
LaBrecque was also at the fireworks the previous night, calling them “great.”
“The finale was amazing,” LaBrecque said.
Yankee Homecoming Treasurer Jason LaCroix said the fireworks went on for just under 30 minutes and cost $30,000.
“People were texting me left and right saying it was the best ever,” LaCroix said.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.