Over the years, Yankee Homecoming has grown to highlight more and more creative initiatives that have been welcomed by the event organizers, residents and visitors. Today these include longtime annual events that showcase road races, the much anticipated Olde Fashioned Sunday, Waterfront Concerts on the Merrimac River, Family Day at Maudslay State Park, Market Square Entertainment, and craft & artisan fairs. The eight day event wraps up with a spectacular Fireworks Display and Grand Parade past the historic houses of High Street. Events celebrating Newburyport’s history have grown to include explorations of the city’s Civil War history, church tours reflecting its connections to New England’s religious history, and guided walks of the old burying grounds as well as many tours of historic homes and buildings.

That first year Newburyport was joined by dozens of communities throughout New England in providing a ‘Yankee Homecoming celebratin’. Today Newburyport is the only community that continues the tradition, in itself a demonstration of the phenomenal volunteer effort both on the part of individuals and businesses that goes into organizing the event.