Make Way for Cygnets

May 3, 2025

Inspired by the Friends of the Public Garden’s Duckling Day, “Make Way for Cygnets” is a family-friendly celebration which invites locals and visitors to dress up as Melrose’s iconic swans and cygnets, a.k.a. young swans.

In partnership with the City of Melrose’s 175th Birthday Celebration and the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, this Melrose Creative Alliance event’s aim is to foster civic pride in Melrose, encourage tourism to the area, and engage collaboration between local business and the arts community.

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Friday, May 2

Time	Event	Description	Location
4-5:30pm	DIY Swan Mask Drop-In Session	Join Follow Your Art Community Studios and the Melrose Arts & Crafts Society to craft your own swan mask for the Make Way for Cygnets celebration on May 3rd. First-come, first-served as space is limited. Sponsored by Follow Your Art Community Studios, Melrose Arts & Crafts Society, Melrose Painter & Handyman.	Follow Your Art Community Studios 647 Main St Melrose, MA 02176

Saturday, May 3

Time	Event	Description	Location
10am-12pm	Melrose’s 175th Birthday Party	The City of Melrose will host a community celebration commemorating the 175th anniversary of Melrose’s incorporation as an independent town. This free, family-friendly “birthday party” for the community is expected to include exhibits on local history, an interactive and collaborative community art project led by Follow Your Art Community Studios, a recognition of past and present volunteers and officials in Melrose civic life, birthday cake, and activities for kids. Sponsored by the City of Melrose.	Memorial Hall 590 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
11:45am – 12:45pm	Rock Out Photo Op!	Oren Santillo will be playing keyboard on the porch of The Big Yellow House from 11:45-12:45. He will have a tricked out guitar for kids to rock out with him and take a band photo. Sponsored by Follow Your Art Community Studios.	Follow Your Art Community Studios 647 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
12pm	Make Way for Cygnets Parade	Calling all swans and cygnets! Dress in your favorite feathery or fancy outfit as we walk, waddle, and roll from Memorial Hall to the gazebo at Ell Pond. Sponsored by the Melrose Creative Alliance.	Memorial Hall 590 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
12-2pm	Picnic at the Pond	Join us for picnicking, face painting, and more family fun at the Ell Pond gazebo. Sponsored by Nowak Family Dental and designed by City Councilor Cal M. Finocchiaro.	Ell Pond Gazebo Main Street Melrose, MA
12:15-1:30pm	Family Portraits at the Gazebo	Families and guests of all feathers are invited to pose for professional family portraits by ED Photography. Individual family photos will be uploaded to a publicly viewable online gallery and made available to purchase as a high resolution image download ($10) on or around May 8, just in time for Mother’s Day!	Ell Pond Gazebo Main Street Melrose, MA
1-4pm	Victorian Garden Party	This elegant afternoon event will feature a variety of activities that highlight both the artistic and historical spirit of Melrose. Three artists will bring the inside of the Beebe to life. Sofia Diana Creations will transform one of the estate’s rooms into a gallery. Hannah Alice Costumes will present a stunning display of handmade Victorian-era clothing and hats. Guests can also look forward to treats served throughout the afternoon. Sponsored by the Beebe Estate Association and Trustees.	Beebe Estate 235 W Foster St #2 Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	Molly’s Bookstore	Leave your mark on the community mural at Molly’s Bookstore! Share either your favorite Melrose memory or favorite part of the community using your handprint.	Molly’s Bookstore 667-669 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	Lilah Rose	Stop by Lilah Rose for a sweet treat and make your own custom swan pin. (1st one free, extra buttons are $1 each.) Plus: all bird-themed items are 10% off!	Lilah Rose 488 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	Buckalew’s	On Saturday, May 3rd, anyone who comes by the store dressed in their swan or cygnet costume will receive a free chocolate of their choosing! We will also be offering discounts on all of our Melrose-themed merchandise leading up to May 3rd to celebrate the city’s 175th birthday.	Buckalew’s 529 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	Paper & Clay	Join us for discounted Melrose merchandise created by local artisans or get your hands dirty and create your own Melrose Cygnet out of clay! (additional fee)	Paper & Clay 953 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	Rising Eagle Publick House	Free dessert with purchase of two entrees or sandwiches (Code word: “Melrose birthday celebration”)	Rising Eagle Publick House 505 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	Turner’s Seafood	Free dessert with purchase of two entrees or sandwiches (Code word: “Melrose birthday celebration”)	Turner’s Seafood 506 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	Peppino’s Italian Market	Don’t forget Franklin Square in your travels! Pay Peppino’s Italian Market a visit and grab “The Rose” — our famous homemade proscuitto bread with a salami flower filling. Melrose Birthday Special price of $3.95!	Peppino’s Italian Market 954 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	YMCA Mural	Celebrate Melrose’s 175th birthday with a photo at the Melrose Family YMCA‘s mural! Painted by Sagie Vangelinain in partnership with Follow Your Art Community Studios and sponsored by Rockland Trust.	Melrose Family YMCA 497 Main St Melrose, MA 02176
All Day	Self-Guided Walking Tour	The Melrose Historical Society printed walking maps of Melrose in 1996. Their mission was to preserve and celebrate the history of Melrose, and to promote a better understanding of local history in general. It is our pleasure to reprise their Main Street and part of their Village maps in this digital format for Melrose’s 175th Birthday Celebration on May 3, 2025.	Click here.
All Day	Melrose History Scavenger Hunt	Created by the 3rd grade teachers at Lincoln Elementary School, this downloadable scavenger hunt is fun for all ages!	Click here.