Relaxing - No Water Needed: Fun under the Sun
By Arden Miller, CZM

Want the sea, sun, and sand, or some combination thereof, without getting wet? In addition to the multitude of recreational activities available along and within the Atlantic Ocean, the Massachusetts coast is host to a number of activities that don’t involve breaking a sweat (well, unless it’s really hot out), or donning a bathing suit. So, for those who like to keep their feet firmly planted on terra firma, or for those looking to stay dry while experiencing some outdoor coastal activities, you’re in luck…

During the spring, several coastal towns pay homage to their fishing roots with “Blessing of the Fleet” celebrations. Born of the Portuguese and Italian traditions dating back to the 1500s, a special Mass is given to Saint Peter, patron saint of fishermen, and fishing boats are decorated and blessed to garner protection from storms, and ensure the safe return of their captain and crew. And, what better way to thank St. Peter for his past powers and celebrate the sea’s bounty than to have an outdoor festival for fishermen, their families, friends, and well wishers?

Since the 1920s, Gloucester has been home to the St. Peter’s Fiesta. Held in June, the celebration and blessing extends over several days and includes a well-attended and nationally known homegrown tradition called the Greasy Pole Event. Call them brave, call them crazy, call them both, but each year more contestants clamor for the chance to attempt to capture a flag placed at the end of a greased telephone pole that hangs horizontally over the harbor. There is a lot of yelling and clapping and, yes, people do fall off the pole and into the harbor regularly! Watching this event in the early evening, when the sun’s still strong in the sky, surrounded by traditional Italian foods, outdoor music, warm weather, and cold drinks spells the beginning of summer for many residents and visitors.

No greased poles, but no less festive, is the annual Portuguese Festival that takes place in Provincetown. Modeled after Gloucester’s celebration, this event has been luring locals and visitors with the delicious smells of Portuguese foods since 1947. After the Mass to Saint Peter is given, a procession of fishermen and their families carry banners with their boat’s name to MacMillan Pier. The often lavishly decorated boats await them in the pier and are blessed. And then it's time to sample traditional Portuguese dishes including kale soup and linguissa while watching traditional Portuguese music and dance performances.

If greasy Portuguese sausage and greased poles aren’t your thing, Rockport has a Midsummer Fest where residents of Scandinavian descent dress in native costume and perform live music and maypole dancing. Food and fresh fruit are available, and the event, which begins at noon on June 20, is free.

And, if you can’t get enough of coastal Massachusetts, and like the word “free,” grab your favourite English ale and toast America’s independence from England at any number of coastal spots. Start times and volume of explosives vary, but on the Fourth of July from Ipswich to Salem, Nahant to Hingham, Plymouth to Provincetown, the night sky lights up with fireworks more colorful than the British Army’s Red Coats.

And down at ground level, there’s plenty more to see. Massachusetts is host to a number of sand castle competitions (amateurs and spectators welcome!). While “sand castle” doesn’t adequately describe all of the entries—depending on the year, you might see everything from an 8-foot gargoyle to a recreation of the Pirates of the Caribbean set—there are plenty of sculptures to make you realize these aren’t your childhood sand sculptures. Or…are they?

While the professionals gathered at Revere Beach in 2006 to compete for $10,000 in prize money, there were a number of coastal towns that hosted sand castle competitions for the non-professionals. Many have annual sand castle contests that are open to the public, for both participation and viewing. And view them while you can, for come high tide, it’s time to say good-bye.

Photograph of Sand Blast by K. McMahon/The Trustees of Reservations; all others NOAA