YOUR LOCAL NEWS & SPORTS ONLINE. SCAN HERE! Vol. 36, No.29 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net oca Free Every Friday State Rep. Jessica Giannino Hosts Packed Campaign Kickoff 781-286-8500 Friday, July 24, 2026 Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly announces retirement Advocate Staff Report R FAMILY GATHERING: Proud family matriarch Joanne Giannino is shown Joanne Giannino is sho with her granddaughter, ter Sta State Representative Jessica Giannino, and son, Ward 6 City Councillor Jessica Giannino d 6 City C Christopher Giannino during the popular state s campaign Restaurant last Monday t last Monda evening. See inside for photo highlights. (Advocate photo) or photo highligh ocate photo) Rain Delays Fireworks, But Sand Sculpting Festival Draws Big Crowds By Neil Zolot he weather was beautiful and attendance high for most of the 2026 Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, but rain late Saturday, July 18 delayed the event’s fireworks planned for Saturday night until Sunday and pushed the 6 p.m. awards ceremony off the bandstand and into the Marriott SpringHill Suites hotel on Beach Street, where it was livestreamed on RevereTV’s YouTube channel. Late Saturday afternoon, Kelsey Ficociello, event co-coordinator for Foundation Management and Pro-Productions (FMP) reT ported sales were brisk at a table selling sweatshirts and Tshirts for event sponsors Revere Beach Partnership (RBP) to the point where customers could no longer get clothing in certain sizes. “It was a nice morning, and we sold a lot of things,” she said. “It was super busy.” Local vendor Eric Schwartz, who makes personalized jewelry and other things like keychains, also reported healthy sales during good weather. “Today was good,” he said Saturday. Schwartz lives on Revere Beach and has been attending various events there or going to the beach since he was a boy living in Winthrop. He Christopher Giannino during the popular state representative’s campaign kickoff at DeMaino’s t DeMaino evere Public Schools Superintendent Dianne Kelly has formally notified the School Committee that she will retire on July 6, 2027. “Serving the Revere community has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my professional life. By the time of my retirement, I will have dedicated 32 years to the Revere Public Schools; 12 years as superintendent,” wrote Kelly. Although Kelly has said several times in the past that she intended to retire, the date makes it real. Kelly, who is known for supporting and empowering educators and all members of the Revere school communiSuperintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly announced her retirement next July during Tuesday’s School Committee meeting at Revere High School. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) ty, used her letter to praise coworkers, staff and school families. “Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to RETIREMENT | SEE Page 3 First place winner, Jobi Bouchard’s sculpture, Odyssey is admired by onlookers taking pictures from the boulevard during the 2026 annual Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival this past weekend. See inside for photo highlights. (Advocate photo by Emily Harney) also worked as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher in the Revere school system. “I remember the old Revere Beach,” he said, reminiscing about the amusement park character with many rides and eateries once there. He also called the Sand Sculpting Festival “a great event.” The fi rst such festival was 22 years ago and was the brainchild of long-standing RBP member and current president Adrienne Sacco-Maguire. “We couldn’t do this without her,” RBP board member John Hamel said at the awards ceremony. “She’s a founder of this event.” FESTIVAL | SEE Page 6
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