NEWBURYPORT – Paul Bushey, the general chair of Yankee Homecoming, predicts the numbers of people at events starting this weekend will be substantially up from attendance even before the Pandemic struck.
“People are chomping at the bit for things to get back to normal,” he said.
Early indications are that he is right. The number of volunteers working the event is at 77, more than ever before. The entries in the popular High Street Parade on the last Sunday is more than any other year, Bushey said.
Yankee Homecoming kicks off this Sunday, July 30, with the Battle of the Bands and Brewfest. It continues all week with events around the city, ending with the fireworks on Saturday night and the parade.
Bushey, a regional manager for Social Security Administration, and his wife, Victoria, settled in Newburyport in 2015 after visiting the city during Oktoberfest and being struck by the sense of community and civic pride. He retired in 2018 after finding that Newburyport “is a good place to retire.”
He joined the volunteers for Yankee Homecoming the next year because “I thought it would be a good way to get to meet people.”
Initially, he passed the bucket for donations at events. He joined the parade crew for several years. He hands out food on Tuesdays to the needy at the St. Vincent DePaul Society. And his wife chairs the Newburyport Choral Society.
This year, with only a few months to plan Yankee Homecoming 2022, he was asked to bring his management skills he had developed in his government career to manage Yankee Homecoming.
Bushey not only has resuscitated the traditional events, but has added some. He is particularly proud of the new event, Know Your Community, which will feature 35 public and private organizations that will be on hand to educate residents and visitors about the wealth of resources that serve the community. The fair held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 4 at the Newburyport Community Center will also feature local food trucks serving coffee, breakfast, and lunch.
Family Day has been moved to the Nock Middle School where retailers will provide activities for children.
The Veterans Luncheon, which has been held during Yankee Homecoming for a dozen years, will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 2, at the Hope Community Church, 11 Hale St, It is being sponsored by Fairway Mortgage, SGT Jordan Shay Memorial Foundation and Yankee Homecoming.
Here is a list of all Yankee Homecoming events for 2022. For a full list of events and sponsors, visit www.yankeehomecoming.com.
HIGH SCHOOL BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Saturday July 30th. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/high-school-battle-of-the-bands/
ART ON THE
BARTLET MALL
Saturday and Sunday. July 30th and 31st For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/art-on-the-bartlet-mall/
BREWFEST FUNDRAISER
Saturday July 30th. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/brewfest-2/
WATERFRONT MORNING WORKOUT SERIES
All Week. For more info visit:
https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/yankee-homecoming-morning-exercise-class/
OLDE FASHIONED
SUNDAY
Sunday July 31st 10:00am – 4:00pm. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/olde-fashioned-sunday/
YANKEE HOMECOMING CORNHOLE
TOURNAMENT
Beginner July 31st. Competitive August 6th For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/yankee-homecoming-corn-hole-tournament/
WATERFRONT
CONCERT SERIES
All Week. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/waterfront-concert-series/
YANKEE HOMECOMING MARKETPLACE
Daily. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/yankee-homecoming-market-place/
HERITAGE TOURS
All week. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/self-guided-heritage-tours/
DOWNTOWN
ENTERTAINMENT
All Week. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/downtown-entertainment-2/
GENO OPEN
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Monday August 1st 8:am. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/golf-tournament/
WAITER/WAITRESS RACE
Monday August 1st. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/waiter-waitress-race/
KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY
Aug 4th 10am – 2pm. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/know-your-community/
YANKEE HOMECOMING CRAFT SHOW
Tuesday August 2nd 10:00am – 7:00pm (Rain Date Wednesday). For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/market-square-day/
VETERANS LUNCHEON
Tuesday August 2nd. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/veterans-luncheon/
NURSING HOME CONCERTS
Wednesday, August 3rd 10:30am – 2:15pm. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/nursing-home-concerts/
GENERATIONS OF GIVING
Wednesday August 3rd. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/senior-king-and-queen/
U.S. COAST GUARD
OPEN HOUSE
Thursday August 4th 10:00am – 2:00pm. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/u-s-coast-guard-open-house/
YANKEE HOMECOMING SIDEWALK SALES
Thursday, Friday and Saturday – August 4 – 6th. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/yankee-homecoming-sidewalk-sales/
FAMILY DAY – NOTE OUR NEW LOCATION!
Saturday, August 6th 10:00am – 2:00pm. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/family-day/
ROAD RALLY
Saturday August 6th. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/road-rally/
FIREWORKS
Saturday, August 6th 9:15pm. For more info visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/fireworks/
PARADE
Sunday August 7th 12:00pm. For more visit: https://yankeehomecoming.com/event/fireworks/
Other Events
*Greek Food Festival – July 29th – 31st. Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00pm, Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm Annunciation Orthodox Church, Park & Harris Streets Newburyport. Rain or Shine. Enjoy Gyros, Lamb Shanks, moussaka, Chicken and Lamb Kabobs, Loucaniko (Greek sausage), Keftethes (meatballs), Spinach Pie, Pastichio, Greek Salad, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Fish “Plaki” (Friday only) and our delicious Greek Pastries! Free Admission – Air conditioned. **New this year – Go Greek All Week – Look for the GYRO FOOD CART on Inn Street Saturday July 30th – Sunday August 7th
*Superior Courthouse open house & tours Sunday July 31st. Open house and free tours of the oldest continuously operating courthouse at Bartlet Mall. 10am – noon
*Newburyport Lions Club 58th Annual Road Race Tuesday August 2nd 6:00pm at Newburyport High School 241 High Street. Race headquarters, registration, number pick up and information will be on the front lawn of Newburyport High School. Register at: https://yankeeraces.com/
*Newburyport Exchange Club Kids Day in the Park Wednesday August 3rd 10am – 2pm Atkinson Common Park, High Street. Bicycle and Carriage Parade (10am) Face Painting, Games, Theater in the Open, Sing-A-Long, K9 Demonstration by Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Storybook Reading by teens, City Fire, Police, DPW and American Ambulance. All Events are FREE!
*Rotary Club of Newburyport annual beer and hotdog fundraiser, Thursday August 4th 5pm – 7:00pm Tannery parking lot. Support local non-profits while enjoying hotdogs and beer during the bed race.
*Lions Club Annual Bed Race Thursday August 4th 6:00 pm (bed check in 5:00pm), Rain Date Friday August 5th Federal Street. The Newburyport Lions Club Annual Bed Race, a fundraiser for the Newburyport Lions Club charities. Fee $30.00 per team. Pre-registrations is required. Mail registration to Lions Bed Race, PO Box 545 Newburyport MA 01960. Must be 18 or older to participate
NYS & NBPT Scouts Family Movie Night Friday August 5th at Cashman Park 7:30pm (campers arrive at 6:30 to set up your tent). Come down to Cashman Park with your family and your tents to camp out, enjoy a movie (Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers), have some treats and play some games at this wonderful event. All activities are free. Sign up is required: newburyportma.myrec.com
Winners Circle Runners Club High Street Mile, Sunday August 7th NBPT High School, 9:00 am – The High Street Mile is back for 2022! This one mile road race, occurring during Newburyport’s Historic Yankee Homecoming Festival, features 3 heats including a children’s heat with medals for all the little finishers! Cash prizes for overall and age group winners! There will be snacks and beverages at the finish line and beer tickets for a free beer and post race viewing party at the Winner’s Circle Sports Bar post race! Proceeds to benefit Winner’s Circle Running Club and Newburyport All-Sports Boosters. Advanced registration required www.thehighstreetmile.com
