Today we’re updating our Central Jersey Fireworks Guide for 2012. We’ll be adding more to the listings constantly from now until the 4th of July. This is one of our most popular features and we work all year getting ready for this big day.
Hunterdon County NJ Fireworks & July 4th Events
Califon Fireman’s Carnival:
Monday, July 2 through Saturday, July 7, 2012 (Fireworks on Tuesday, July 3 & Friday, July 6) The Califon Firemen’s Carnival is an old time country fair that features games, rides, raffles, firetruck rides and vendors. Monday night is Clam Night. There is a charge for food, games and rides, but admission and parking are free. The carnival is held behind the new town hall on Academy Street.
Get More Info Here
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Flemington Fireworks:
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 (Info Updated on June 29, 2012) The Flemington Raritan Recreation Committee will sponsor a fireworks display at Reading-Fleming Intermediate School on Allen Street. The band will begin playing at 7:00 and the fireworks will go off at 9:15.
Get More Info Here
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Concert Under the Stars, Frenchtown New Jersey & Erwinna Pennsylvania:
Saturday, June 30, 2012: This is not a New Jersey staged display but it’s a five minute drive over the state line, the music is provided by a New Jersey Symphony. This fireworks extravaganza staged in Tinicum Park in Bucks County Pennsylvania’s is one of my regions most popular events and it is almost always sold out. There are only 5,000 tickets available. Light classical, popular and patriotic music is provided by The Riverside Symphonia of Lambertville. The Concert Under the Stars is a local tradition. Families from all over the area come with blankets, chairs tables and picnic baskets full of wonderful goodies. Some people even go as far as to set up tables and elaborate displays of cheese, breads, fruit and more.
Advance tickets are $27.00 per person and $30.00 at the gate. Children (7-18years): $10 per ticket and Children 6 & under get in for free.
More information @ Concert Under the Stars: Fireworks and Music on the Delaware River
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Glen Gardner Fourth of July Firetruck Rides:
Wednesday, July 4, 2012 (Information updated on May 23, 2012) 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.
For more information see the Fire Company’s Website.
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High Bridge 4th of July Celebration:
July 1, 2012: In 2012, The Solitude House Museum is the sight for a picnic and live music to celebrate Independence Day. The museum is located at 7 River Road. I just found confirmation of the event on the Union Forge Heritage Association page on Facebook. That organization is the one that is restoring the Solitude House Museum. The hours are noted as being from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.
Get more information on the Union Forge Facebook page or the High Bridge site here.
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Lebanon 4th of July Parade:
Wednesday, July 4, 2012: The 65th Annual Lebanon Borough 4th of July Parade is one of the oldest 4th of July parades in New Jersey. The celebration also features a baby and bike parade, a patriotic house decorating contest, antique car show with classes for cars from the 1920’s to the 1970’s, and classifications for custom cars, street rods, trucks and even farm vehicles, boy scout troops, girl scout troops, floats, live music, fire trucks and rescue vehicles. The competition in Lebanon has to be quite fierce for the honor of holding one of the town trophies. The theme for the parade in 2012 is Homegrown Heroes.
Read more about the festival on the Lebanon 4th of July site here.
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Mercer County July 4th Fireworks & More
Princeton NJ Fireworks, Spirit of Princeton:
Monday, July 2, 2012: Run by the nonprofit group, the Spirit of Princeton, these fireworks are always held on July 1st at the Princeton University sports fields, next to the Stadium. The grounds open at 7:00 PM. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the field. If you can get your spot early enough, you can photograph the fireworks over the water for some great shots, as shown above.
Spirit of Princeton Fireworks
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Hamilton Township NJ Fireworks:
Tuesday, Jul 3, 2012 Hamilton sponsors a community celebration with a concert and fireworks at Veteran’s Park. The concert begins at 6:30 and features the Jimmy Buffett cover band, Jimmy and the Parrots. There will also be face painting, sand art and food vendors. The fireworks follow the concert at 9:00. The rain date is Thursday, the 5th.
Go to the Hamilton Township NJ Website and click through to the community calendar
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Mercer County Freedom Festival
Saturday, June 30, 2012: Freedom Festival is one of the first Independence Day celebrations in the state every year. This large festival is held in Mercer County Park in West Windsor Township. It is an all day event that features a wide range of activities for the entire family. You’ll find water rides and inflatables for the kids, tethered hot air balloon rides, local food vendors, live entertainment, local crafts, a beer and wine garden, a mechanical bull and of course fireworks at 9:30 to bring the day to a grand finish. Some of the featured music will be: Little Mac & the Peoples Champ, Liquid A, Incognito and the Amish Outlaws.
Mercer County Park Freedom Festival
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Middlesex County NJ Fireworks & More
Highland Park: Independence Day Concert & Fireworks,
Sunday, July 1, 2012: Highland Park will be celebrating Independence Day with a community celebration in cooperation with its neighbor New Brunswick at Donaldson Park. There will be live music, activities, food and beverages.. This years concert features the Avi Maza Orchestra (a Klezmer Band), a musical review by the Highland Park Youth Theater Group, The Highland Park Municipal Band, The Fletchers and Farrington Sound. The fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 PM. [Highland Park-Middlesex County-Central Jersey]
Get more information on Highland Park and the celebration @ http://www.hpboro.com/
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Monroe Township 4th of July Celebration:
Wednesday, July 4 ,2012: The celebration begins at 5:00 and the fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk. [Monroe Township, Middlesex County, Central Jersey]
More information on the Monroe Township of Middlesex County website
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New Brunswick: Independence Day Concert & Fireworks:
Sunday, July 1, 2012: New Brunswick will be celebrating Independence Day with a joint celebration with its neighbor, Highland Park at Donaldson Park in Highland Park. [New Brunswick-Middlesex County-Central Jersey]
Get more information on the celebrations at the Highland Park website
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Monmouth County NJ Fireworks & More
Asbury Park 4th of July Parade & Fireworks, Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Asbury Park will celebrate the 4th on the 4th! The day starts with a patriotic parade at 1:00 PM that starts on Grand Avenue and ends at the beach. After the parade you can ride the rides at Bradley Park till 9:00 PM. The fireworks will start at 2nd and 4th Avenue at the beach at about 9:00 PM.
Fireworks & More in Asbury Park
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Atlantic Highland Fireman’s Fair & Fireworks
The 2011 Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair opens on July the 3rd and runs through the 7th. The fair, sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department, is held at the Municipal Harbor on Simon Lake Drive. The fireworks will be staged on Friday, July 6, 2012 at dusk. If you are a photographer and you want to get good shots of the fireworks here, I suggest you contact the Harbor Office and make plans well ahead of the event or get in touch with someone that has a boat in the harbor. I was chased out of every good shot I had 3 times last year.
Families can pay one price for admission and enjoy all the fair rides and the concerts on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights. The fair features twelve games of chance and carnival rides. Tickets for the rides can be purchased separately. There will be concerts every night of the fair and local food vendors.
The rain date for the fireworks is Saturday, July 7, 2012.
For more information, see the Fireman’s Fair & Fireworks Website.
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Bradley Beach NJ Fireworks on the Beach, Saturday, July 7, 2012:
Bradley Beach will celebrate Independence day on Saturday, July 7th with music and fireworks. The rain date is Saturday, July 14th. Earlier in the day you can check out the Jack Wright Ocean Mile Swim at 9:30 in the morning at the Kent Avenue Beach.
For more information see the Bradley Beach web site.
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Colts Neck Country Fair, Friday, June 29 & Saturday, June 30, 2012:
The Colts Neck Country Fair is a unique event that is held every year just before the 4th of July. This year’s fair features the rodeo acts of Cowboy Larry & Brave Beth, lasso tricks, riding and unique animals. There will also be rides, games and inflatables for the kids, an American Pie contest, crafts and food vendors. At the close of the fair on Friday and Saturday there will be a fireworks display at about 10:00 PM.
For more information on the event, see the Colts Neck Fair web site.
Freehold Concert & Fireworks, Tuesday, July 3, 2012:
The borough of Freehold will celebrate the 4th on the 3rd at Freehold Raceway on Park Avenue. The festivities begin on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 5:30 PM with music that is yet to be announced. The event draws over 20,000 people each year. The event has a community picnic feel to it. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at dusk. The gates open at 5:30 for local families to get a good seat for the concert and the fireworks. The fair is held at Bucks Mill Park located at 105 Bucks Mill Road.
For more information on the event, see the Downtown Freehold web site.
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Hazlet Township NJ Fireworks: Tuesday, July 3, 2012:
The Hazlet Township Fireworks will be held at Veterans Park at dusk. The rain date for the fireworks is Friday, July 6, 2011.
Get more information on Hazlet Township here.
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Keansburg NJ Fireworks, Tuesday & Wednesday, July 3, 4, 2012:
Keansburg Amusement Park will stage fireworks displays on the 3rd and the 4th at dusk at the Fishing Pier and Boardwalk Avenue.
Get more information on the fireworks here.
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Lakewood NJ Fireworks, Tuesday, July 3, 2012:
The Lakewood Blueclaws will stage a fireworks display after their game with the Hagerstown Suns on Monday, July 3, 2012. The stadium is located at 2 Stadium Way in Lakewood.
Get more information on the Lakewood New Jersey fireworks here.
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Long Branch: Oceanfest, Wednesday, July 4, 2012
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. [Long Branch-Monmouth County-Central Jersey]
More information @ BestofNJ.com’s Oceanfest page
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Manasquan Fourth of July Decorating Contest, Parade & Fireworks, Tuesday, July 3, 2012:
Manasquan will hold their independence day celebration this year on the 3rd. It all begins at 5:00 PM with a bicycle decorating contest at the Little League Field. At 6:30 PM there will be a 4th of July parade at the Manasquan Coast Guard Station. At 7:30 there will be a concert with Billy Lawlor at the Main Beach. The day concludes with a fireworks display at dusk. The festivities are sponsored by the Manasquan Tourism Commission.
More information @ the Manasquan web site
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Ocean Grove Independence Day Concert, Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Ocean Grove Independence Day Concert will be held on Tuesday, July 3 from 8:00 to 9:30 PM at the Great Tabernacle in Ocean Grove at 22 Pilgrim Pathway. The Ocean Grover Summer Band directed by Harry Eichhorn will perform show tunes and patriotic songs.
Get more information on the concert on the band’s Facebook page.
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Ocean Township Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks, Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The Ocean Township 4th of July celebration will be held at Joe Palaia Park at Whalepond and Deal Roads in Oakhurst on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. The park opens at 6:00 for the community to get together and have picnics and visit each other. The fireworks will start at dusk. The rain date for the fireworks is Thursday, July 5, 2012.
Get more information on the township and the celebration here.
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Red Bank: KaBoomFest, Concerts, Fair & Fireworks Cancelled for 2012!
KaboomFest has been cancelled this year because of costs and organizational problems.
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Sea Bright July 4th Concert & Fireworks, Cancelled for 2012:
Sea Bright has cancelled their fireworks this year evidently because everyone else was cancelling theirs. (Red Bank and Rumson) The town officials reportedly thought that they would be too popular!
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Union Beach NJ Fireworks, Tuesday, July 3, 2012:
The Union Beach Fireworks are scheduled for Sunday, July 3, 2012 sometime after 9:00 PM.on the beach. The rain date for the show is July 5, 2012.
See the Union Beach town web site for more info.
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Wall Township: Wall Fair, Firecracker Five Run & Fireworks, June 28 to July 1, 2012
Thursday, June 28th through Sunday, July 1st, 2012 [Fireworks on the 1st]: Wall Township celebrates the 4th of July with a community celebration that features a parade, carnival rides, live bands, crafts, a wiffleball tournament, a skydiving show, touch a truck, a state softball tournament, a BBQ competition, a beer and wine garden, food, fun and fireworks at dusk on Sunday, July 1st. All of these events are staged at the Wall Township Municipal Complex at 2700 Allaire Road. [Wall Township-Monmouth County-Central Jersey]
Get more information on the community @ http://www.wallnj.com/
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West Long Branch NJ Fireworks, Wednesday, July 4, 2012:
West Long Branch is one of the few Monmouth County towns staging their fireworks display on the 4th. The celebration begins at 7:00 PM with a concert by Greaseband and the fireworks go off sometime after 9:00.
For more information, see the West Long Branch web site here.
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Somerset County NJ Fireworks & More
Bridgewater: Washington Campground Association Fourth of July Ceremony:
Wednesday, July 4, 2012 – 2012 information not available online, If you find anything or know of anyone involved with this little ceremony, let me know]: The Washington Campground Association holds a commemorative ceremony at the Middlebrook Encampment site where legend tells that the first official flag of the United States was flown in 1777. It is also the site of a historic encampment of General George Washington’s troops in the winter of 1778 & 1779. The ceremony features a changing of the flag, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a historical address. The campground is located at Mountain Avenue and Middlebrook Road. It starts at 10:00 and lasts about an hour. [Bridgewater-Somerset County-Central Jersey]
See the Wikipedia Page for more historic information on the site
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Bridgewater NJ Fireworks: 4th of July Family Festival
Wednesday, July 4, 2012: Bridgewater will host the Fourth of July Family Festival at North Branch Park on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. The festival will run from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. It features music by the bands WallStreet and Smooth (singing the songs of Motown), children’s activities, costumed characters, historical re-enactments, and fireworks at 9:30 PM. The event is free. You can call 908-722-1200, and ask for extension 225 to get more information.
See the Somerset County Parks Website for more information
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Franklin Township July 4th Celebration
Friday, June 29, 2012 Franklin celebrates the 4th with a an arts & crafts show, a concert and fireworks. The celebration starts at 6:00 and runs till 9:00 at the Franklin Municipal Lott at DeMott Lane and Amwell Road. After the show, there’s a short commemorative ceremony and a fireworks display at 9:15. The rain date is Friday, July 6, 2012.
Get more information on these events @ the Franklin Township Site.
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North Plainfield 4th of July Parade, Concert & Fireworks
Parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 & Concert with Fireworks on Saturday, July 7th, 2012: North Plainfield will stage its 10th Annual 4th of July Parade along a new route this year. The parade will starts 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. The town does have fireworks scheduled but not for the July 4th weekend. The town will hold their concert and fireworks display on July the 7th at West End School Field on Greenbrook Road. The concert begins at 7:00 and the fireworks at dusk.
Get more information on the town and the celebrations here.
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Union County NJ Fireworks & More
Summit: 4th of July Celebration
Wednesday, July 4, 2012: This annual event consists of day and evening events. The day events begin at 9:45 AM with the Flag Raising Ceremony. The Children’s Bicycle Parade begins at 10:00 AM. Local children decorate their bikes in a patriotic fashion and receive trophies and certificates. Last year’s parade had over 500 participants. Immediately following the Children’s Bicycle Parade, Polka Dot will host a kid’s concert with fun sing -a -longs and dancing. The rides and amusements start at 10:00 AM and will continue through 1:00 PM. Kids can ride the train, jump and slide on inflatable rides and play carnival games for prizes. There will be lots of food, drink and snacks available including Towne Deli and Mom’s Catering. Tickets for the rides, games, food and crafts can be purchased on the day of the event. At 12:00 Noon the Summit Stompers Dixieland All-Stars will entertain on the big stage while the Emergency Softball Game starts at the big field.
The evening’s festivities begin at 7:45 PM with the The Cameos, New Jersey’s Favorite Oldies Group. They will perform their unique renditions of the most popular songs of the 1950’s and 60’s with a little 70’s for good measure. The Grand Fireworks Display, featuring Garden State Fireworks will start at 9:15 PM. [Summit-Union County-Central Jersey]
Find out more information about the 4th of July in Summit New Jersey here.