Fourth of July Cape Cod style in Woods Hole

The fabulous Woods Hole Fourth of July celebration is right around the corner, so make your plans to be in the Hole that day if you enjoy small town festivities.  Woods Hole’s parade is organized by the Marine Biological Laboratory, and all the students come out in festive costume often with a marine or biology inspired theme.   Since Falmouth is the birthplace of Katherine Lee Bates (who penned “America the Beautiful”), Woods Hole takes it’s patriotic role seriously.  Where else might you glimpse the original “sea to shining sea” on the 4th of July Cape Cod style?

Old cars join in the fun, plus local restaurants tossing candy and discounts, and the streets are lined with young and old.  The parade starts at 12 noon on School Street, it turns right onto Water Street, crosses the drawbridge and ends at Waterfront Park.  Marine biology “MBL” students are known to begin a massive water balloon fight at this crossroads at the end of the parade, which is a fun and festive way to beat the heat.

On the porch of the Woods Hole Inn, there are free cookies and lemonade to match the great view of the proceedings.  But get there early if you want a front row seat as the Woods Hole Fourth of July celebration is a popular event on Cape Cod.  Then dash back to the beach like everyone else as Fourth of July on Cape Cod is usually one of the best beach days of the summer.

See you all there!

When: July 4th at NOON in Woods Hole

Where: Water Street in Woods Hole

A Marine Life Themed Fourth of July

Fourth of July in Woods Hole is, to put it simply, unique. Think graduate students dressed as green florescent sporozoites (whatever that is!) and you will start to get an idea.   Combining the love of marine biology and patriotism, local scientists come out in force for a fun and quirky parade.

I got to Woods Hole early, thinking I could grab a coffee with plenty of time to find a spot on Water Street. By the time I got there, the streets were already flooded with people, jostling for spots to watch this distinctive show.

From socks to hats, the people of Woods Hole were dressed in red, white and blue as they anxiously awaited this traditional display of patriotism. At noon, the music began to signal the parade’s start; on-lookers jumped to their feet to get a better view.

The floats ranged from Santa Clauses to microbes to crustaceans and amoeba. One particular group covered with green balloons and trash bags really caught my eye – largely as I had absolutely no idea what they were supposed to be. I caught up with this group of scientists at the end of the parade, although this was a lot harder than I had expected because as it turns out the parade ends with a traditional water balloon fight.

Kirk Deitsch informed me that their group is apart of the “Biology of Parasitism” at the MBL (the Marine Biological Laboratories), meaning that they study parasites. “We are all dressed as green fluorescently labeled malaria sporozoites” Deitsch said. I guess my blank face gave away how this statement literally meant nothing to me because he then laughed hysterically and continued, “now how about some English?” Deitsch went on to explain how they portrayed the stage of the parasite that infects a person’s liver that eventually causes malaria – a disease that kills over 1 million African children every year.

Fourth of July in Woods Hole is upbeat, fun, informational, and come prepared to learn something about microbes, parasites and malaria!  Overall, it’s a parade you can’t miss!

One of the many groups of MBL scientists walking in the parade.

Local restaurant, Quicks Hole, wore festive lobster suits and lobster hats in the parade.

MBL scientists carry a homemade lizard through the streets of Woods Hole.

Red White and Blue

It’s safe to say that the Fourth of July Parade in Woods Hole is one of the most unique parades in America. The event is filled with water themed floats and everyone dresses up to reflect their love of Woods Hole’s marine life.

The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) organizes the parade. Locals and researchers dress up in the quirkiest ways – posing as amoeba, lobsters, crustaceans, squid, etc.

Those wishing to get in on the action gather at 11:30 at the School Street parking lot to suit up in costumes. The parade starts at 12 o’clock along Water Street and lasts about 15 minutes.

The porch of the Woods Hole Inn is a great place to view the parade, and don’t miss the free lemonade and cookies.

What would Fourth of July be without seeing scientists dress up as amoebas? C’mon – you can’t miss this!

Fourth of July in Woods Hole perfectly reflects our love of science.