Fireworks: Monday, July 2, & Children’s Parade, Wednesday, July 4: The Hasbrouck Heights Lions Club present the 28th annual fireworks display at Depken Field on Monday, July 2 at sundown. Depken Field is located @ Route 17 & Franklin Avenue. The Children’s Parade is scheduled for 9:30 on Wednesday morning, July 4 at Woodland Park. There will be prizes for the most patriotic and the most creative entries.
The City of Summit has announced their plans for the 65th Annual Fourth of July Celebration to be held on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. Soldiers Memorial Field will be the site for both the morning and evening celebration events.
This traditional Fourth of July Celebration has become a homecoming of sorts, as generations of Summit residents plan their summer vacations around this fabulous annual event. The Mayors Fourth of July and Celebration Committee works all year long on securing donations to run this major special event. The events are totally dependent on donations by residents, local businesses and corporations. Already committed to this years events are Overlook Medical Center and Investors Savings Bank.
The festivities begin with the Flag Raising Ceremony at 9:45 AM with representatives of Summit area Veterans Organizations. The Children’s Decorated Bicycle Parade begins at 10:00 AM. Children ages preschool through 10 years of age are invited to decorate their bikes in the most patriotic fashion. Trophies will be awarded in three different categories, Preschool, Ages 5-7 and Ages 8-10. The children will ride their bicycles around the track at Soldiers Memorial Field as Judges pick the winners. Winners are announced from the big stage by Mayor Jordan Glatt. Trophies will be awarded and photos will be taken with the Mayor. Every child will receive a Certificate of Participation. Following the Decorated Bicycle Parade, a children’s concert with Polka Dot will entertain the children. Novelty rides, ponies, crafts, games of chance and carnival attractions will run from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. At 11:30, it is time for a concert for everyone with The Kootz. They describe themselves as Rock and Roll on Fiber. If you love rock and roll music, you will love The Kootz. Hang out and enjoy some great food and music in our Food Court. Munch on all American favorites like hot dogs, ice cream and lemonade. At 12 Noon, the Summit Emergency Services join for their annual battle on the Softball Field at Memorial. Summit Fire Department, Police Department and EMS battle it out for the coveted Chamber of Commerce Trophy.
The Summit 4th of July Celebration would not be complete without the evening concert and fireworks display. The Cameos will be the featured performers on the big stage starting at 7:45 PM. The Cameos are a talented nine piece oldies/vocal harmony group who create and perform their own unique renditions of the most popular songs of the 1950s and 60s with a little 70s thrown in for good measure.
The Grand Fireworks Display starts at 9:15 PM in the sky over Memorial Field. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and settle in for a glorious show, celebrating the USA. Everyone will be seated in the upper part of the field for the fireworks display. Get there early and relax. Refreshments and souvenirs will be available for purchase. Ashland Road closes at 6 PM. So come early and enjoy the show. Walk, carpool, or bike with your friends.
More information about the event will be found on the City of Summit website, www.cityofsummit.org or by calling 908-277-2932.
Long Branch for their 22nd annual Oceanfest on Wednesday, July 4th, 2012. The free festival runs from 10 in the morning to 10 at night, rain or shine, along the half mile stretch of oceanfront Promenade between Seven Presidents Park and the Ocean Place Resort Spa. The Oceanfest finale is a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean at 9:00 pm.
The details have not been updated for the festival this year, but here is what was featured in the past. We will update this article as soon as we get new information.
Archived information from previous years:
Long Branch’s Oceanfest celebration will feature a wide range of events and activities for the entire family. You will find strolling entertainers, clowns, stilt walkers and costumed characters. There is also a very popular sand sculpture area, where you can watch master sand sculptors at work on intricate and odd constructions of amazing variety.
There will be children’s performances at the Garfield Memorial from 11 AM to 4 PM. There will be live entertainment throughout the day at the Stage on the Great Lawn (Just south of Rooney’s Oceanfront restaurant). Children will delight in the pirate and safari themed shows while the adults will enjoy the great sounds of Swing Sabrossa (3 to 5 PM) and the Bob Burger Band ( 7 to 9 PM).
Oceanfest also offers arts, crafts and vendors along the Promenade featuring everything from original handcrafted jewelry, clothing and decorative garden ornaments to gourmet dog treats and straw hats. Pier Village is right next door, with great shops and restaurants of every type.
The Long Branch Department of Recreation will sponsor a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament held in the southern most parking lot at the Ocean Place Resort. It’s limited to 16 teams and starts at 10:00 a.m. Winners will get a trophy, basketballs and a gift certificate to a local establishment. Those interested in participating can contact the Recreation Department at 732-571-6545 to register.
Long Branch offers a wide swath of pristine beachfront, and Oceanfest is bounded by Seven President’s Park to the north and the luxurious Ocean Place Resort & Spa and the adjacent Pier Village to the south. Visitors staying at the Ocean Place Resort can use the hotel’s beach facilities, which include lounge chairs and sun shades. In 2011 admission was $7.00 for adults from 18 to 61 years of age and $3.00 for those 13 to 17 years of age. Admission was free for children 12 and under. Coolers were welcome on the beach, although glass containers are not permitted. However, if you want to really relax, you can enjoy some of the food that will be available. You will find everything from crab cakes to zeppolis, seafood paella to lobster rolls and lots in between.
Once the sun sets, it’s time for the spectacular finale! One of the largest fireworks displays at the Jersey Shore, you’ll want to plan your seat early; make reservations for the Ocean Place Resort’s famous outdoor BBQ, visit one of the restaurants along the oceanfront, or just grab a spot of sand on the beach to enjoy the show. The fireworks display starts at 9:00 p.m. and Radio Station 95.9 The WRAT will provide a musical simulcast.
For more information contact the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce at 732-222-0400 or visit the new Oceanfest website.
The Lebanon Borough 4th of July Parade invites everyone to their 65th Annual 4th of July Parade. The theme for the parade this year is “Homegrown Heroes”. Festivities will include a baby & bike parade, a house decorating contest, and the parade of course.
The parade will start at 8 or 9:30. There will be prizes for:
As part of the Antique & Classic Car Divison of Parade there will be prizes for cars from these periods and classes of cars:
July 04, 2012 – July 04, 2012
Starting at 10:00 am
Admission: $10.00 Adults – $2.00 children under 12
4th of July Walking Tour ~ Starting at 10:00 am. Limited to 100 persons. Contact Linda Marr at 609-492-3988 or call the Museum at 609-492-0700 for additional information.
Location: Long Beach Island Historical Associaton Museum
Engleside and Beach Avenues
Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Phone: (609) 492-0700
Email: info@lbimuseum.org
This annual Fourth of July tradition is a free, family oriented festival, which attracts both local residents and visitors from throughout the region. The event takes place along a half mile stretch of the oceanfront promenade between Seven Presidents Park and the Ocean Place Resort and Spa. Activities will include master sand sculpting exhibits on the beach, strolling entertainers, live music of every imaginable type, food vendors, craft vendors and lots of activities for children. The fun-filled daytime activities offer a great prelude to a spectacular fireworks display. You might want to consider staying at the marvelous modern Bungalow Hotel that’s a few steps away from the festivities. We were there this past month and it is a great destination! Also, be sure and grab a goodie at Cake Bake & Roll on the corner.
North Plainfield will stage its 10th Annual 4th of July Parade along a new route this year. The parade will start at North Plainfield High School on Wilson Avenue and meander through town to the Borough Parking lot on Craig Place. The parade will begin at 10:00 AM.
Glen Gardner Fourth of July Firetruck Rides
The Glen Gardner Fire Company will offer fire truck rides from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Borough Park which is located at School Street and Hampton Road.
MORRISTOWN, NJ — Morristown National Historical Park’s (NHP) will celebrate our declaration of independence with July 4th activities beginning at noon on the park’s Washington’s Headquarters grounds, 30 Washington Place, with a “Warm-Up for the Declaration.” The “Warm-Up” will feature a park ranger in period clothing entertaining the crowd and giving a “kids level” explanation of the Declaration. Stories, jokes, riddles, and an inspection of the troops will all be included.
At 1 p.m. the “Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence” will commence. Attendees will be given a copy of the Declaration, and encouraged to cheer along with park rangers and re-enactors as they denounce tyranny and praise liberty. At the conclusion of the reading, members of the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Helms’ Company, a volunteer re-enactment group, will fire a feu de joie (musket salute).
Following the reading of the Declaration, the Ford Mansion will be open for tours with a number of re-enactors in period dress bringing life to the mansion once again.
Visitors are asked to bring water to drink and a chair or a blanket to sit on the ground, and are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather including wearing a hat and sunscreen. Due to limited parking, guests are encouraged to carpool or walk to the event.
All other areas of the park, including the Wick House and the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center will be open throughout the day.
Additional information and photos can be found at www.nps.gov/morr.
There is no admission fee on July 4th.
All July 4th events are scheduled “rain-or-shine.” Any updated information will be available on Sunday, July 4th after 9:00 a.m. by calling 973-539-2016 ext. 210.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 397 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
About Morristown NHP: Morristown National Historical Park was established on March 2, 1933 as the nation’s first designated “National Historical Park”. The National Park Service at Morristown National Historical Park preserves, protects and maintains the landscapes, structures, features, archeological resources and collections of the Continental Army winter encampments, the headquarters of General George Washington, and related Revolutionary War sites at Morristown for the benefit and inspiration of the public. The park interprets the history and subsequent commemoration of these encampments and the extraordinary fortitude of the officers and enlisted men under Washington’s leadership. Learn more at www.nps.gov/morr
State Fair Meadowlands will sponsor a fireworks display on Tuesday, July 3 & Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at the fairgrounds. The show is scheduled for 10:45 each night. There’s a ton of things to do at the fair for the whole family.
State Fair Meadowlands, home to New Jersey’s largest “Kiddieland” amusement area, is set to return for 17 days of fun for children of all ages this summer, running from June 22 through July 8 at the New Meadowlands Fairgrounds, next to the Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford.
The fair will return with over 25-kid friendly rides – including the Rockin Tug, the Caterpillar Coaster, Construction Zone, Bumble Bee, and of course, the traditional Merry-Go-Round – as well as special fair games where kids of all ages can step up to win their favorite prizes. Have a picky eater at home? No worries, there is something for every kid to enjoy, from curly fries, chicken fingers and pizza to cotton candy, fruit smoothies and ice cream.
Once you’ve entered the fair, shows are free. Children will love Circus Maximus, a tent circus with acrobats and animal shows, as well as the Live Shark Encounter, an entertaining and educational water show with real sharks. Wild animal fans can check out The Big Cat Show, with gorgeous performing lions, tigers and ligers. And, kids will love cheering on the Racing Pigs as they snort their way around a hilarious racetrack.
New this year will be Geocaching, a real-world outdoor treasure hunt that will be a hit with every member of the family. Containers will be placed throughout the fair, filled with prizes, and fair goers will be able to use their GPS-enabled devices such as smartphones to participate as well as share their experiences online.
“For just $5 admission on weeknights and $7 on weekends and holidays, you can bring a child to State Fair Meadowlands and enjoy the country’s best live animal shows, circus performers, rock bands and petting zoo,” said Al Dorso, President of State Fair Meadowlands. “We even offer a ‘Kids Go Free’ night on June 27, where any child 12 and under gets into the fair for free.”
Also new this year will be children’s karaoke. For older children and teens, don’t miss the Skyride, as well as the BATCOPTER from the original Batman TV show, providing panoramic rides of the fair and New York City. On the evenings of July 3 and 4, fairgoers will be treated to State Fair Meadowland’s world-class fireworks shows.
The fair also offers comfort stations, conveniently located in Kiddieland, with diaper changing and family bathrooms, as well as covered private areas for mothers and babies. For more information about the fair, bargain days and promotions, visit www.njfair.com.
About State Fair Meadowlands
State Fair Meadowlands is the largest fair in the New York metro area, with over 150 rides and attractions occupying over 35 acres of fairgrounds plus parking. This year’s fair features thrilling rides, free entertainment – including the Big Cat Show, the Live Shark Experience and Racing Pigs – and acres and acres of food vendors. Special discounts and promotions include opening Dollar Night, Kids Go Free Night, Midnight Madness, Cheap Cheap Night and Patron Appreciation Day. Fair hours are Monday through Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to midnight; Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to midnight. Special hours on July 3 are 4:00 pm to 2:00 am, and on July 4, 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. On Friday, June 22, opening night, gates open at 4 p.m. This year, the fair is offering free parking Monday through Wednesday and just $4 all other days, including July 4. On June 22, opening night, parking is just $1. Visit www.njfair.com for more information.
Mayor Mark A. Smith and the Municipal Council announced that the City of Bayonne has finalized plans to celebrate American Independence on Wednesday, July 4, on the lower level of DiDomenico-16th Street Park, beginning at 7:00 p.m., weather permitting. The park is located between Avenue A and Newark Bay.
John Christian and Soiree will provide musical entertainment from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The musicians cover popular music from the 1940′s to the present. The band will play at the new municipal amphitheater, which is located at the southwestern corner of the lower level of the park, near Newark Bay.
The City will offer free children’s inflatable rides from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. They will be stationed in the old amphitheater, which is located at the southeastern corner of the park’s lower level. This year, there will be three rides, up from two at last year’s event. The three children’s amusements will be the Jurassic Adventure Obstacle Course, the Crash Course, and the Saber-Tooth Slide.
Garden State Fireworks will present a show beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m. The fireworks will run for about thirty minutes. The Garden State technicians will launch the pyrotechnics on land around field number three near Newark Bay. For safety reasons, there will be a buffer zone in both the park and the bay. No unauthorized people will be allowed inside the buffer zone. No pleasure craft in Newark Bay will be permitted within a perimeter of at least 500 ft. from the launch site, as per the U.S. Coast Guard. The Fire Department will have a boat in the bay during the show.
The Bayonne Recreation Division is providing free shuttle bus service on July 4, picking up passengers at Catholic War Veterans’ Post #1612, which is located at the corner of West 23rd Street and Del Monte Drive. Shuttle bus service will begin at 6:00 p.m., and will drop off passengers at the lower level parking lot alongside the tennis courts until 8:30 p.m. Following the fireworks, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the buses will pick up passengers at the same area for the return trip to 23rd Street and Del Monte Drive. Shuttles will continue to run until all passengers have been returned to West 23rd Street and Del Monte Drive, by approximately 11:00 p.m. In order to provide space for the shuttle, there will be no parking permitted on Del Monte Drive from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The Boat Ramp on the lower level of the park will be closed to boats for the entire day. The Boat Ramp parking lot will be available for public parking until it reaches capacity. After that lot is full, parking on the lower level of the park will be closed to the general public. The main parking area on the lower level of the park will be closed to the general public after 7:00 a.m. on the morning of July 4. No parking will be allowed by the firing range on the upper level of the park.
On West 16th Street, between Avenue A and the park, no parking will be allowed on either side of the street after 6:00 p.m. No parking signs will be posted. The signs will be removed around 10:00 p.m. as the event ends. Police will create a single lane for traffic on that portion of West 16th Street for crowd control purposes.
The DiDomenico Municipal Pool on the upper level of the park will follow regular operating hours on July 4, opening at 10:30 a.m. and closing at 5:00 p.m., weather permitting. The basketball courts on the lower level of the park will close at 2:00 p.m.
The park’s regular bathrooms will be closed for the event. Portable toilets will be available. Both regular and handicap facilities will be provided.
There is no rain date for the fireworks. In the event of inclement weather, please call 201-471-7590 after 4:00 p.m., or visit www.bayonnerec.com, to check on the status of the event.
(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon is getting ready for the biggest July 4th celebration in South Jersey. Avalon will host five full days of big events throughout the community, including a free world-class symphony concert and the largest fireworks display along the New Jersey coastline.
A major highlight of the July 4th week in Avalon will be a free patriotic concert presented by the Bay-Atlantic Symphony on Wednesday, July 4th, at 7:00pm. The concert will be held inside the Avalon Community Hall at 30th Street and the beach. No tickets are needed for this concert and seating will be done on a first come, first served basis.
This year’s Bay-Atlantic Symphony concert is entitled “Quest and Delights of Freedom” and includes selections from Verdi, Anderson, Sousa, and Tchaikovsky. Dr. Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr., the President of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, will serve as guest conductor.
Immediately following the Bay-Atlantic Symphony concert the Borough of Avalon will present the largest fireworks display along the New Jersey coastline at the 30th Street beach. The fireworks begin at approximately 9:15pm and will be set to patriotic music. A simulcast of the music accompanying the Avalon fireworks will be broadcast live on WCZT 98.7..the Coast radio station. Before the fireworks event, the Avalon Department of Recreation will have various fun kids activities on the Avalon beach, and next to Avalon Community Hall.
Earlier in the day on July 4th, Avalon will be holding its famous boat parade at high tide, starting at the Avalon Pointe Marina. More information is available from the Avalon Department of Recreation by calling (609) 967-3066. Avalon will get the July 4th celebration started at 12 Noon with a free beach concert at the 30th Street beach featuring music from the “Tropical Steel Band”.
The July 4th celebration begins in Avalon on Sunday, July 1st with a string band parade throughout Avalon. The parade steps off at the Avalon Community Hall at 6:00pm and proceeds north on Avalon Avenue to 29th Street, then turns west towards dune Drive. The parade continues on Dune Drive until it reaches Veterans Plaza at 21st Street for Mummers’ music and dancing.
On Monday, July 2nd the Avalon Department of Recreation will sponsor a patriotic kids’ event at Veterans Plaza at 6:30pm. The following day, July 3rd, field races will be held at the 10th Street recreation field, at 10:00am.
The celebration of America’s birthday will continue on Thursday, July 5th in Avalon. The Borough will host a performance by the 63rd Army Band at Veterans Plaza, 21st Street and Dune Drive, at 7:00pm. The concert is free and open to the public. Bring a beach chair and enjoy live music from one of our military’s finest bands.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. — Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will host the annual Fourth of July celebration from 5 to 10 p.m. July 4 at the Doughboy Field parade ground.
The event is free and open to the public.
Entertainment activities will include bouncy castles, a stilt walker, magician, face painting and will include a live performance by The Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes. The highlight of the festivities will be a fireworks display scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Choices include hamburgers, hot dogs, cheese steaks, sausage and peppers, kettle corn, funnel cakes, cotton candy, zeppoles, fresh roasted corn on the cob, water ice, soft drinks and more. Novelty vendors and a beer concession will also be available.
Spectators are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to the parade grounds. No pets, coolers or bottles will be allowed. Additionally, backpacks and large purses are subject to search upon arrival at the gate.
The Wrightstown, Brown Mills, Pemberton and Route 68 gates will be open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. for public entry. Department of Defense cardholders attending the event are encouraged to use the McGuire Main Gate.
This Independence Day celebration is a community outreach event to show our appreciation to the surrounding communities and to celebrate the birth of our great nation.
Keansburg Amusement Park will stage fireworks displays on the 3rd and the 4th at dusk at the Fishing Pier and Boardwalk Avenue.
Macy’s Fireworks for 2012 promise to be an awe-inspiring spectacle of color, light and sound. The big show will rumble over the Hudson between New York City and New Jersey on Wednesday, July 4th at 9 p.m. as Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks®, the nation’s largest pyrotechnic display, ends the holiday with a big bang! For the first-time ever, in preparation for the revelry, Macy’s Fireworks creative team is looking to America to pick their favorite tunes that will serve as the musical accompaniment to the pyrotechnic splendor. America’s Mixtape, invites fans to select from 4th of July standards and party anthems on Macy’s Facebook page to help Macy’s create the perfect musical blueprint for the explosive celebration.
“As the nation’s premiere Independence Day pyrotechnic display, Macy’s Fireworks each year aim to ignite the sky with a jaw-dropping celebration that blends aerial artistry with musical heart,” said Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. “A stirring score is a key element of Macy’s Fireworks explosive magic. From patriotic standards to pop classics, the score serves as the musical soul to the precisely choreographed display. We’re excited to invite the public to create their perfect 4th of July mixtape and help us choose the music for Independence Day’s most dazzling spectacle.”
Macy’s Fireworks creative team pre-selected 50 songs that fit the 4th of July celebratory theme and make for great scoring to high-flying explosions of color and light. From patriotic standards like Stars and Stripes Forever, This Land is Your Land and America the Beautiful, to pop music’s biggest hits including John Cougar Mellencamp’s R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A., James Brown’s Living in America, Madonna’s Holiday, Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA, Don McLean’s American Pie, and LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem, fans will have a wide range of songs to choose from when creating their own unique Macy’s Fireworks mixtape.
To participate, log-on to Macy’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/macys), “Like” Macy’s and the America’s Mixtape app, and then begin to select choices from the 50 song soundtrack. Now through March 4, fans can help guide the Macy’s team in selecting the track list for this year’s show. The tunes with the most likes will inform the final selections of 12-14 songs for the score. The complete soundtrack will be unveiled in early June and will also feature a very special rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.
With more than 3 million live spectators and millions tuned in nationwide, New York City will host America’s most explosive party. The 36th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will fire more than 40,000 pyrotechnic shells during an approximate 26-minute synchronized display. Designed in collaboration with SOUSA Fireworks, the show will be set off from barges along New York City waterways. With an average of 1,600 shells launched per minute, Macy’s Fireworks show is truly a dazzling spectacle.
Independence day revelers from coast-to-coast will also have a front row view of the pyro in the sky by tuning to NBC’s national broadcast of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular beginning at 9 p.m. (check local listings). In addition to the pyrotechnic splendor, the 4th of July’s most popular entertainment broadcast will feature a star-studded line-up of performances by the nation’s hottest recording artists.
Viewing, show location information and other spectator tips will be announced in early spring and full details will be available as of June 2012 at www.macys.com/fireworks or by calling the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Hotline at (212) 494-4495.
About Macy’s Fireworks
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks are the nation’s largest 4th of July pyrotechnic display. Produced by Macy’s and designed in conjunction with SOUSA Fireworks of Rialto, CA, Macy’s Fireworks are a digitally synchronized display of firepower that is choreographed to a rousing patriotic score. Annually fired from various locations across New York City, Macy’s Fireworks feature shells from all over the world. Seen by more than 3 million spectators and millions of viewers nationwide, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks have become the nation’s premiere 4th of July celebration event.
Editor’s note, Weehawken and Hoboken are great places to watch the fireworks and the spot where we photographed the grand show a few years ago.
My name is John Stringfellow. I love New Jersey and I publish BestofNJ.com. I’m the writer, editor, photographer head geek and go-fer here. I’ve lived a lot of places since I left Alabama in 1977; Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Illinois, New York, Florida and South Carolina. Those are all great places, but none of them compare to New Jersey. Here in this land sandwiched between New York City and Philadelphia, lies a place of incredible beauty, fascinating history and incredible cultural diversity. For beauty, I’ve got the beaches of Sandy Hook, LBI and Cape May to the South and the mountains, lakes and rivers of Sussex
