This year’s celebration features live music, tasty eats, a powerful reading of Frederick Douglass’ speech, and a fireworks finale kicked off by the mayor!

This year’s celebration begins with a special program presented in collaboration with the Department of Racial and Social Justice and the Somerville Museum featuring a public reading of Frederick Douglass’ famous speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

Festivities will continue at 6:30 p.m. and will feature music by DJ Desy and funk band Search Party. Food vendors this year include Italian Wizard, Dos Manos Kitchen, and more.

At approximately 9 p.m., Mayor Ballantyne will welcome and address the crowd and then start the countdown to the fireworks show.

In the event of foul weather, watch the City website or contact 311 starting the day before to check on whether the rain date will be used. The website is at www.somervillema.gov and you can call 311 at 617-666-3311.