By John Burton
Summer’s here and the Fourth of July weekend offers some chances for fun, fireworks and family activities, and maybe a corndog or sausage sandwich and cotton candy to enjoy while watching the rockets red glare.
Special events, including fireworks, will be sponsored by organizations, churches and municipalities during the next week in celebration of the nation’s 238th birthday.
The activities in the area include those in:
Atlantic Highlands: The borough’s volunteer fire department will again hold its annual Fireman’s Fair, which will coincide with Independence Day and feature fireworks.
The fair will run from 6 to 11 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, to Saturday, July 5, at the municipal marina on Simon Lake Drive at the eastern end of First Avenue.
The fair will feature games, rides and a large selection at the food court. Fireworks will be lit at about 9:45 p.m. on Independence Day.
Additional parking and shuttle buses will be available on fireworks night at St. Agnes Church on Center Avenue; Fireman’s Field at Avenue C and West Highland Avenue; and the Masonic Lodge on East Garfield Avenue.
Additional information is available by calling 732-291-1444, ext. 3605.
Long Branch: Long Branch’s Chamber of Commerce will hold its 24th annual Oceanfest from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4, on the city’s Promenade. The chamber advertises it as the largest 4th of July celebration in the state featuring multiple stage areas for live entertainment, family-friendly activities, artists and crafters presenting their work, as well as food and refreshments. The day will culminate with a fireworks display that evening.
Additional information is available by calling 732-222-0400.
Asbury Park: The city will hold its annual July 4 fireworks display on the beachfront. The display, sponsored by the city’s chamber of commerce, is scheduled to begin at dusk.
In addition, there will be a carnival held at Atlantic Park from 2 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, through Saturday, July 5, in the area of the boardwalk near Convention Hall.
Red Bank: The First Presbyterian Church at Red Bank (Tower Hill) is offering its Liberty Extravaganza, an annual red, white and blue musical celebration, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6, at the 255 Harding Road church.
The 26th annual church event will include a concert of patriotic, traditional favorites and gospel music by the Liberty Choir, consisting of church and community members, soloists and a brass ensemble. A portion of the concert will feature a tribute to the armed forces. The evening will conclude with the raising of the American flag.
Church doors open at 6:45 p.m. for admission to the concert. While admission is free, the church would welcome offerings to benefit the concert series.
Before the concert will be the church’s strawberry festival on the church patio. The festival, which will begin at 5 p.m. will feature music from the Hot Taters band. There will be a $5 charge for the homemade strawberry dessert.
Keansburg: Fireworks have been scheduled for dusk on Thursday and Friday, July 3-4, at Keansburg Amusement Park, 275 Beachway Ave.
Freehold: The 11th annual reading of the Declaration of Independence is slated for 9 a.m. at the borough’s municipal building.
Mayor J. Nolan Higgins will portray Thomas Jefferson and will read the first portion of the Declaration, followed by members of the audience who will each read a few words. The names of the signers of the Declaration from each of the original 13 states will be read aloud at the end of the reading, and the fire bell next door at the firehouse will toll as each of the states’ names are announced. Copies of the document will be distributed at 8:45 a.m. to those who would like to take part.
Later on July 4, Freehold Raceway will be the site of a concert and fireworks. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, July 6. Downtown Freehold is the sponsor of the concert and fireworks.
Ocean Grove: An Independence Day parade, sponsored by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 4.
The Ocean Grove Summer Band will present its Independence Day Concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 5, in the Great Auditorium. The concert is free but donations will be accepted.
Bradley Beach: The borough’s annual fireworks display has been slated for 9 p.m. Saturday, July 5, on the beachfront. The rain date is Saturday, July 12.
Colts Neck: The week following Independence Day will feature the annual Colts Neck Country Fair. Held at the township’s Bucks Mill Recreation Area, Bucks Mill Road and Freemont Lane, from July 10-13. The fair will have live entertainment, rides, food and refreshments. Fireworks will be on Thursday, July 10, starting at approximately 10 p.m.
Admission is $5 per person.
For more information, visit www.coltsneckfair.com, or call 732-462-8500.
