John Adams loved a good party, especially on the Fourth of July. “It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other,” he wrote to his wife Abigail in 1779.

This year in Aquinnah, the guns and bonfires were absent, but there was face painting, a treasure hunt, a parade and a large, enthusiastic crowd. The festivities began on Old South Road off Moshup Trail. Why a parade? “Because it’s America’s birthday,” explained a young girl, Anna, who gave her age as four and eleven twelfths.

Arlen Roth picked up an electric guitar and blasted out the Star Spangled Banner and parents placed their arms around their children’s shoulders and many touched their hands to their hearts. There were plenty of cheers, then Arlen played God Bless America and took the crowd with him, voices lifting with the line, “Stand beside her, and guide her, Through the night with a light from above.”

A spirited crowd, but for some a somber feeling. Many commented that this Fourth felt different from others and expressed worry about the direction the country was headed. “This Fourth celebrates taking back the country and reminds us of the freedom and justice that made America great to start with,” said Stephen Petronio from New York city.” When asked what this particular Fourth meant to her, one woman replied: “It’s time for a collective response.”

A siren went off and the parade began, led by a car carrying a 92-year-old veteran of World War II. More honking and sirens and fire trucks including the dashing Engine 321, proudly making its maiden voyage with Gay Head inscribed on its front grill. A procession of cars and trucks including a 1928 Model A, followed by a 1929 Ford Roadster, and an upstart, a brilliant yellow 1967 Buick Skylark.

The parade ended at Philbin Beach with a treasure hunt. Each child received a map, followed by furious scrambling and digging. No one went away without booty, in this case bags of Nerds and Tootsie rolls, toffee and bubble gum.

A large crowd sprawled over the beach on a perfect summer day. Any fears for the country were briefly cast aside on America’s 241st birthday.

Ted Sutton lives in Newton and Aquinnah.