Fourth of July Events around New Jersey

Fourth of July Events around New Jersey

MORRISTOWN

Revolutionary Times has a new date: July 4th 2013. For the past few years, “Revolutionary Times Weekend” has featured an encampment at Morristown National Historical Park (MNHP) in April. This year, an extraordinary partnership between historic, municipal and cultural organizations have joined together in order to shift this event to July 4th, a more patriotic time of year when families are on vacation and available to enjoy the celebration.

As part of the celebration, a reading of the Declaration of Independence will be recited at 12:30 p.m. by MNHP staff on the historic Morristown Green followed by music, family-fun crafts, games and activities and a performance by the Morris Music Men Barbershop Quartet. The National Anthem will be sung by local resident, 12-year-old Audra Stowers. The 80th Anniversary of the Morristown National Historical Park will also be celebrated. The park opened to the public on July 4, 1933.

In addition, later at 7 p.m. that evening, the Town of Morristown will sponsor a dazzling fireworks display for the public to enjoy at Sunrise Lake Beach at Lewis Morris Park, where there will be picnicking, performances by the Fifes and Drums Corps of the Old Barracks and the Solid Brass Ensemble, with fireworks at nightfall. The National Anthem will be performed by the award-winning “Whistling Entertainer of the Year,” local resident Joe Sodano.

This family-friendly event supports the “liberty” theme in advance of New Jersey’s 2014 celebration of its 350th Anniversary and is dedicated to raising awareness of the role that the Morristown area played in the Revolutionary War.

All events are free to the public. Parking is free all day in downtown Morristown garages and at Lewis Morris County Park. Shuttles will be available to Sunrise Lake Beach from distant Lewis Morris parking lots. It is advisable to bring a flashlight if attending the fireworks. Food and drink will be available at the beach for purchase until 9:00 p.m.

The daytime activities will be held drizzle or shine and cancelled in case of a downpour. Fireworks will be held weather permitting. For event updates please consult morristourism.org or call 973-631-5151 on July 4th.

The partners for this event include: the Washington Association of New Jersey, North Jersey American Revolution Round Table, Daughters of the American Revolution/Schuyler-Hamilton House, Crossroads of the American Revolution Heritage Association, The Town of Morristown, Morris County Park Commission, Morristown National Historical Park, Morris Arts, Morris County Tourism Bureau and the New Jersey Star-Ledger as media sponsor. For further information including a complete schedule of events, please go to morristourism.org.

For more information, contact the Morris County Tourism Bureau at 973-631-5151.

LONG BEACH ISLAND

The Long Beach Island Region is boasting a full calendar of weeklong activities to celebrate July Fourth! From live performances, free concerts, parades to fireworks and evening cruises!

It also kicks off a summer of free entertainment every day of the week; the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce offers lists for both on visitLBIregion.com. There are a lot of reasons to come down the LBI Region, with businesses and beaches open for a summer of fun and unique one-of-a-kind events.

For more information, check visitLBIregion.com.

BRIDGEWATER

Families from across Somerset County will celebrate the Fourth of July at Somerset County’s biggest party, the 43rd Annual Independence Day Family Festival.

The Festival begins at 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 4, 2013, at North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater. Admission is free. Corporate sponsorship is provided by Courier News/mycentraljersey.com.

The evening of Americana represented by patriotism, music, and family entertainment will include a variety of performers, a reenactment of a Revolutionary War encampment by the Third New Jersey Regiment Revolutionary Encampment, children’s games and activities, plenty of food, and a sensational display of fireworks. Stage performances will provide a range of American music styles for the enjoyment of children and adults alike.

Verdict will kick off the Independence Day live stage performance at 6:30 P.M. turning North Branch Park into a tropical vacation paradise with their rich blend of classic reggae, calypso, soca, and funk island music. Then it will be time to recapture the days of Boogie Fever and do The Hustle to all of the top Disco hits of the 70′s when headliners Dancin’ Machine hit the stage at 8:30 P.M. With a great brass section and cool vocals, Dancin’ Machine will keep the party rocking!

Central New Jersey’s most spectacular fireworks display will begin at at 9:30 P.M. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks only will be presented on July 5 or the first clear evening at 9:30 P.M.

For further information call the Somerset County Park Commission at 908-722-1200, ext. 221 or the concert/activity hotline at extension 2. Individuals with a hearing or speech impairment may call the NJ Relay service at 711. Information on this and all other Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found at http://www.somersetcountyparks.org/

THE WILDWOODS

July 4th in the Wildwoods is filled with FREE events, FREE live entertainment and a FREE fireworks spectacular unlike any other at the Jersey Shore.

On Thursday morning, July 4, the holiday kicks off with the Wildwoods Independence Day Parade and the Patriotic Pooch Parade. The Independence Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. at 15th and Atlantic Avenues and proceeds north to 2nd Avenue. The Patriotic Pooch Parade will join the march through the Wildwoods at 8th and Atlantic Avenues. Dogs of all shapes and sizes will parade along the streets of the Wildwoods dressed in patriotic garb alongside decorated bicycles. Prizes will be awarded for the best bikes decorated with a red, white and blue theme, along with prizes for the best dressed pooches. Check-in for parade participants will be from 8-8:45 a.m. at 15th and Atlantic Avenues. To register, call 609-522-2955.

Thursday morning is the Beach ‘n Boardwalk 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Walk from 9-11 a.m. The 5K Fun Run will begin at the iconic Wildwoods Sign located at Rio Grande and Ocean Avenues, and travel north to the Wildwoods Convention Center then down the boardwalk extension to the beach. The route will run south and continue on the hard packed sand to Primrose Avenue in Wildwood Crest, looping back to the Wildwoods Convention Center for the completion of the race. The 1-Mile Walk will head down the Wildwoods Boardwalk to Cresse Avenue and back to the Wildwoods Convention Center. Awards will be presented at the Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to “Top Finishers” and “Most Patriotic Dressed.” All funds raised from the Beach ‘n Boardwalk 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Walk will be used to help maintain the Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Registration will take place from 7-8:45 a.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center. The registration fee is $25 for adults and $10 for students 18 and younger. Commemorative t-shirts will be given to all participants who pre-register at http://www.WildwoodsWall.com/5k. For additional information, call 609-849-8887.

Starting at 6:00 p.m., families can enjoy a FREE Summer Concert at Fox Park featuring “Changes in Latitude,” a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Bring your beach chair or blanket and groove to the smooth sounds of Jimmy Buffett classics such as “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Volcano” and many more. “Changes in Latitude” is sure to have the crowd on its feet dancing and singing along. For additional information, call 609-729-9000.

The Philadelphia Mummers will perform from 7-9 p.m. along the Wildwoods Boardwalk from 16th Street in North Wildwood to the Wildwoods Convention Center. For additional information on this FREE event call 609-523-1602 or visit http://www.DoWildwood.com.

Also at 7 p.m., the Wildwood Talent Showcase will feature dancers from ages 6-18 who will perform at the Wildwood Bandshell, located at Schellenger Avenue and the Boardwalk. For additional information on this FREE event, call 413-454-4523.

A Fourth of July Patriotic FREE Concert will take place at Centennial Park in Wildwood Crest at 7:30 p.m. featuring the Manhattan Dolls. Bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy the sounds of this swing-style female vocal trio singing the tunes of the 1920′s through the 1960′s. Centennial Park is located at Fern Road and Ocean Avenue. For additional information call 609-523-0202 or visit http://www.VisitWildwoodCrest.com.

At 10 p.m. people all over the Wildwoods will enjoy a spectacular FREE fireworks show extravaganza. Originating from the beach at Pine Avenue in Wildwood, this incredible Fourth of July pyrotechnics display will be sure to awe and amaze, and is visible from almost anywhere on the island.

On July 5, come see your favorite WWE SUPERSTARS in action at the Wildwoods Convention Center’s Oceanfront Arena at 8 p.m. featuring ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER in the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH plus “THE VIPER” RANDY ORTON, JACK SWAGGER, FANDANGO, R-TRUTH, TONS OF FUNK, TEAM RHODES SCHOLARS, AJ, and MANY MORE! Line-up is subject to change. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15 and are on sale now! Tickets are available through the Wildwoods Convention Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. For more information about WWE, visit http://www.WWE.com.

Also on July 5, a Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles Show at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Collectibles, memorabilia and guest star appearances. Over 100 tables of the hottest collectibles on the planet! Sports cards, old & new, toys, comic books, Starting Line-ups, McFarlane figures, non-sports cards, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, Beanie Babies, videos, wax boxes, supplies, autographed memorabilia, sets, posters, coins, t-shirts, legos, dolls & much more! Autograph guests include Baseball Superstar & Manager Larry Bowa; Wrestling Hall of Famers Tito Santana and Nikolai Volkoff; and former Negro League New York Yankees Star (1946-1950) Bob Scott. Fri: 3-9 p.m., Sat: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE admission! For more information call 732.422.9365 or visit http://www.RKSportsPromotions.com for a detailed schedule of events.

That day is also the Cape May County Lifeguard Championships on the beach at Rambler Road, Wildwood Crest. 6 p.m. Beach patrols from Cape May County compete in various rowing, swimming and running competitions that showcase lifeguarding skills. Hosted by the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol. FREE. 609.522.3825 or http://www.wcbp.org.

Wildwood is also hosting a Fireworks on the Beach show on July 5. Summer fireworks extravaganza on the beach at Pine Avenue in Wildwood, every Friday night! Visible from almost anywhere in the Wildwoods! 10 p.m. Free. 609.523.1602 or http://www.DoWildwood.com.

For additional information, call 609-729-9000 or visitwww.WildwoodsNJ.com.

STONE HARBOR

Stone Harbor invites residents and visitors to join in a full day of fun activities at the 81st Street Recreation Field and beach in Stone Harbor, NJ.

Sand Sculpture Contest: Bring your shovels and join in the Sand Sculpture contest on the beach at 83rd Street. Registration takes place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contestants can begin working on their creations and judging takes place at 11:30 a.m. Prizes and trophies go to the top three sculptures in each of the following age groups: 2-8 years, 9-15 years, 16 years and up, and family or group entries.

Hoys 5 & 10 Candy Scramble: Even the strongest sweet tooth will be satisfied during this fun-filled race to collect wrapped candy strewn all about the soccer field. The event, limited to children ages six and under, begins at 10 a.m. and requires no registration.

Foot Races: Stick around, because immediately following the Candy Scramble the Fourth of July footraces will commence. Racers will be divided into males and females in an all-out race for the finish line. No registration is necessary to participate, and prizes and trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category.

Phillies Home Run Derby: Calling all heavy-hitters: head to the baseball field and register for the Phillies Home Run Derby between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., it’s time to step up to the plate and show us what you’ve got. Prizes will be awarded to the boy and girl with the most home runs in the following age groups: 7-9 years, 10-12 years and 13-15 years.

Slow Bike Races: Back at the soccer field, Stone Harbor’s Slow Bike Races are a challenge of a different sort. Starting immediately after the foot races, the object of the Slow Bike Race is to ride the provided bike through the fixed course in the slowest amount of time – without any part of your body touching the ground. Sound easy? It’s harder than you think. Prizes and trophies will go to the slowest three finishers in this topsy-turvy event.

Decorated Bike Contest: Dress up your bike, scooter or baby stroller for a chance to score a trophy for best decorated, most colorful or most original design. Registration, limited to those 18 years and under takes place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the 80th Street and Second Avenue parking lot. The decorated bike parade begins at 11:45 a.m.

Decorated Lifeguard Stand: Even the lifeguards are getting into the patriotic spirit. Many of the lifeguard stands will be decorated and the guards will be competing for the best decorated stand. At 12 noon, the guards will lead beachgoers in a patriotic sing-a-long.

Fireworks and Concert: When the sun goes down the excitement turns up. Bring your beach chairs and blankets to soccer field and enjoy a live concert by BLT at 7 PM followed by an All-American fireworks display at 9:30 PM sponsored by the Stone Harbor Fire Department. In the event of rain, all competitions will take place the following day, on Thursday, July 5, 2011. The fireworks rain date is also Friday, July 5, 2013.

For more information, contact the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce at 609-368-6101 or visit http://www.stone-harbor.nj.us or http://www.stoneharborbeach.com.

BLT to play Stone Harbor on July 4