What to Know About Beverly Homecoming on Friday

Friday is the first day of Beverly Homecoming 2013.

Homecoming already got going unofficially this week with the city tennis tournament and 5K road race. The 10-day event officially starts Friday.

Friday's event calendar is light - the Beverly Fire Department takes on the Salem Fire Department on the softball field at Innocenti Park at 7 p.m. Innocenti Park is at the corner of McPherson Drive and Margin Street.

This weekend is packed with events, and the weather forecast is looking great. Both day will be partly sunny or mostly sunny with temperatures near 80 degrees with only a slight chance of showers at times.

Saturday starts with a pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at the Masonic Hall at 20 Washington St. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

During the day the big event is Airport Day at Beverly Municipal Airport on LP Henderson Road from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is free. There will be aircraft and search and rescue teams on display, plus a yard sale and baked goods for sale.

There is also a Red Cross Blood Drive at the Beverly-Salem Elks at 39 Bow St from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a "Home-style breakfast" for all participants.

Out on the water, the lobster boat races will be held by the Harbormaster's office.

Saturday finishes up with "The Block" block party, a new addition to Homecoming. It runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. with live music by Barrence Whitfield, Froggy and the Friendship and Sound Association, beer and wine for sale and several food vendors will be set up along a closed section of Cabot Street between Pond and Federal streets.

Sunday will start with an outdoor Interfaith Worship Service at 10 a.m. at Lynch Park with Rev. Alan Froggatt of Second Congregational Church.

The history of the waterfront will be the focus of the first of several historical walking tours during Homecoming. On Saturday, the tour meets at 10 a.m. at the former McDonalds at the foot of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The cost is $5. Fred Hammond of the Beverly Historical Society will offer a tour of the waterfront between the Beverly Wharf and Independence Park on Lothrop Street.

A day full of festivities are planned at Lynch Park, starting with Tony Tots Day from 1-4 p.m. It will include a kids concert, moonbounce and other kids-focused activities. The Masons will be there conducting its Child ID program.

Later in the day, Classmates will be in concert at the shell at Lynch Park from 6-8 p.m. as Re/Max offers offers rides in its tethered hot air ballon. The cost is $5 .

At Carratu Park on Park Street, the Ward 3 Bocce Tournament will be held starting at 2 p.m. The entry fee for either a two-person or four-person team is $20, with the fee going toward Beverly Bootstraps.