Parades, beaches, outdoor music: Welcome to summer 2022, South Shore style

Tuesday was the first official day of summer, leaving more than two months to get outside and capture its magic on the South Shore.

You already know about the tried-and-true events such as  Scituate Heritage Days, Aug. 6-7, and the Marshfield Fair, Aug. 19-28. But there are a dozen other ways to reach your #SummerGoals, ranging from a day trip to Nantasket Beach to a glorious sunset at the Scituate Lighthouse.

From Quincy to Plymouth, a clamoring for fried clams

Summer isn't summer without a heaping plate full of fried clams, and there are a lot of clam shacks on the South Shore. So follow the scent of fried food mixed with the salty ocean breeze to one of the many restaurants in the area that serve the fruit of the sea swimming in perfectly crispy batter.

The fried delicacy is a staple on restaurant menus up and down the coast – from Tony’s Clam Shop and The Clam Box along Wollaston Beach in Quincy to Schooner’s in Hull to Blakeman’s Restaurant in Duxbury.

Plymouth is home to many eateries serving  fried seafood, including The CabbyShack, Lobster Hut and Wood’s Seafood.

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Afterward, lounge on the grassy areas – looking out at Mayflower II and Plymouth Harbor – while you fall into that food coma.

Fourth of July: Pops, patriotism and parades

It wouldn't be a July 4 celebration without the boom of fireworks overhead. Towns up and down the coast will host fireworks shows on the Fourth of July and in the week leading up to the holiday.

More: Here's where and when you can see fireworks on the South Shore this summer

The festivities begin Saturday, June 25, when Hanover, Braintree, Halifax and Milton hold fireworks displays.

To watch the sky light up on Independence Day, head to the Irish Cultural Centre  in Canton for the 9:15 p.m. show. The Plymouth waterfront will also be aglow with a show at 9:15 p.m.

Before heading to the beach or the barbecue, camp out to enjoy a patriotic parade. Hingham will hold its parade at 10 a.m. July 4. The parade's theme this year is "History Happens Here" to celebrate the traditions of the 350-year-old town.

More: Hingham's Fourth of July fireworks to return this summer after 3-year hiatus

Plymouth hosts a full day of activities that will start at Stephens Field with the seventh annual Fourth of July 5K race. Runners will leave the starting line at 7:30 a.m.

A parade begins at 9 a.m., stepping off from a new location, Cordage Park, this year. Food trucks will serve burgers, fries and more throughout the day.

Before the fireworks show, Steven Karidoyanes will lead the Plymouth Philharmonic in its free annual Fourth of July concert. The performance will feature Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture" and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Memorial State Park, 79 Water St., Plymouth.

Toes in the sand at Nantasket Beach

For a day of basking in the sun with sand between your toes, head to Nantasket Beach in Hull.

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There's more to do than just lounging on the sand or taking a dip. The nearby Paragon Carousel, built in 1928, is a popular attraction. The merry-go-round is the only piece of Paragon Park that survived after the legendary amusement park closed in 1984.

A series of outdoor summer concerts is underway. Local favorites such as The Satuit Band will perform June 29, July 8, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26 at the Bernie King Pavilion.

For the quintessential Hull experience, stroll along the Paragon boardwalk at 183-197 Nantasket Ave. and shoot a round of mini-golf, grab an ice cream cone, and play old-school games such as Pac-Man and Skee-Ball in the renovated arcade. The Hull ArtWalk out back is a colorful public art installation. Favorite summer dining spots include Jake's Seafood and the Parrot.

Rock on at Levitate Music and Arts Festival in Marshfield

From July 8-10, the Levitate Music and Arts Festival will take over the Marshfield Fairgrounds with an eclectic lineup of musicians.

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The event was started in 2013 by Dan and Jess Hassett, owners of Levitate surf shop, as an anniversary celebration, and grew from there.

Concert headliners this year include funk group Vulfpeck and rock band Phil Lesh and Friends. Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson is the festival closer, a two-years-delayed performance originally set for 2020.

Surf's up: Levitate expands with Marshfield restaurant, music venue

Levitate's music festivities aren't reserved for only one weekend in July. The brand also hosts Levitate Backyard concerts at its Rexicana Surf Cantina in Marshfield. The relaxed venue, featuring picnic tables and Mexican food, hosts daily live shows with local bands starting at 5 p.m.

Upcoming acts include The Dip, a pop and R&B group, on June 26 and funk band Ripe on Aug. 6 and 7.

All scream for ice cream

Nothing beats a cool ice cream cone on a hot summer day, and there are many shops to discover on the South Shore.

If you're wandering around the Plymouth waterfront, stop in at Ziggy's Ice Cream, which has been in operation since 1957, for a frozen treat. Just down the street is Peaceful Meadows Farm, which serves a variety of homemade flavors and has a location in Whitman. Dairy Twist in Pembroke has soft-serve treats and the deck is open at Farfar's Ice Cream in Duxbury.

If you want to thank the cows that provided your frozen treat, head to Hornstra Farms in Norwell. The family-owned farm has a full menu of old-fashioned farm-made flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla and cow-tracks. Take a stroll into one of the barns to see the younger cows or stop in at the Dairy Bar.

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Take a hike

Enjoy the outdoors this summer by visiting  a local park or nature reserve. Wompatuck State Park comprises about 3,500 acres through Hingham and nearby towns with a large swath of hiking trails for visitors to choose from.

Over in Duxbury, the Myles Standish Monument Reservation provides a brief, uphill hike. At the peak of Captain's Hill, visitors can look out at Kingston Bay and spot historical lighthouses and Plymouth Harbor in the distance.

For a blend of the outdoors and a history lesson, head to Adams National Historical Park in Quincy. Wander between the green yards and gardens of 11 historical houses in the park, including the birthplace of John Adams, the second president of the United States, and The Old House at Peace field, where the Adamses and their descendants later lived.

There are many other spots to explore in the surrounding towns, including Willow Brook Farm Trail in Pembroke and World's End in Hingham.

Blueberry bliss: Summer is peak time for berries at local farms

Get lost among the rows of blueberry bushes at Tree-Berry Farm in Scituate, which welcomes visitors to pick their own berries. The family-owned farm expects the beginning of blueberry season to begin in early to mid-July,  according to the farm's website.

The Blueberry Farm in Hanson also expects to open in early July. The peak season for blueberries in Massachusetts stretches  into August.

Keep your eyes peeled for hand-painted signs that pop up along the roads as independent growers open up their backyard gardens for picking.

Nothing beats a South Shore sunrise or sunset

If you want to get a head start on your day or have an excuse to take a mid-afternoon nap, rising with the sun is one way to do it while basking in the beauty of the glistening Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the calm of the soon-to-be-crowded South Shore beaches early in  the morning.

For a superb sunrise view, head to Brant Rock Beach in Marshfield, where you can find a spot on the sand or the sea wall and admire the early-morning rays. You can please your caffeine-deprived brain and growling stomach with breakfast at nearby diners such as the Brant Rock Hop and The Mug.

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Old Scituate Lighthouse is another scenic vantage point a quick drive away from Scituate Harbor where you can find grab an early-morning cup of joe at Lucky Finn Cafe.

A short walk from the fried clams at Blakeman’s, the bayside beach of the Duxbury Beach Reservation is a great spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon.

Webb Memorial State Park and Hingham Harbor are other spots where you can enjoy golden hour.

Quincy Bay Race week is a summer tradition

From July 28-31, sailboats will stir the waters of Quincy Bay for the 85th Quincy Bay Race Week.

Wessagusset Yacht Club in Weymouth will host events for junior sailors July 28 and 29. On July 30 and 31, boats will take off from Squantum Yacht Club and Wollaston Yacht Club in Quincy.

Members of the eight participating yacht clubs come together for the week's events, which are free to attend.

On Thursday and Friday, Wessagusset Beach and House Neck Maritime Center will have good views of the races, said Paul Lewis, a board of trustees member and media publicity chairman. Find a spot between Wollaston Beach and Squantum Yacht Club for the best views of Saturday's and Sunday's races, Lewis said.

"Quincy Bay Basin is a spectacular place to race and sail.  It's got great panoramic views of Boston, the water, the shoreline and races," he said.

Summer stock at Priscilla Beach

From the outside, Priscilla Beach Theatre appears to be a large red barn. But walk inside and you'll see that the wooden structure houses a stage, spotlights and rows of red seats waiting for audience members.

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Priscilla Beach Theatre is one of the oldest barn theaters in the country and served as a training ground for notable actors such as Paul Newman, Rob Reiner and Jennifer Coolidge.

This summer's lineup continues with "Mamma Mia!" from June 30 to July 16. Set to the music of ABBA, the musical is about a bride trying to determine which of her mother's three exes is her father. The Shakespeare spoof "Something Rotten!" hits the  boards from July 28 to Aug. 30.

The theater troupe performs six nights a week. Tickets to all shows cost $35 for adults and $32 for seniors 65 and older. The theater is at 800 Rocky Hill Road in Manomet. The box office can be reached at 508-224-4888 or online at pbtheatre.org.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Summer 2022 bucket list: Fun things to do on the South Shore