July 4 Festivities Around the County

Cape May County’s resorts and many mainland communities plan to mark the 237th anniversary of the nation’s independence with a variety of celebrations beginning July 3 in Lower Township with fireworks over Delaware Bay; then, throughout the day July 4, culminating in fireworks as dusk darkens the sky.
All of the following take place July 4 unless otherwise noted.
AVALON
Go to the Recreational Field on 10th Street for field races beginning at 9:30 a.m. Join in on the field races then meet on 30th Street and the beach at 7 p.m. to watch the Bay-Atlantic Symphony concert at Avalon Community Hall. Finish the night with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. on 30th Street Beach.
CAPE MAY
Take friends and family to the Cape May beach at dusk to enjoy a Fourth of July fireworks display. Bring a blanket or chair to just relax and enjoy the show. Starting at 4 p.m. at Congress Hall, children’s games, live music and patriotic sing-along.
Fireworks at dusk are sponsored by the City of Cape May, The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May and Northstar Marine, Inc.
As part of the city’s 39th season of free band concerts, Congress Street Brass Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Rotary Bandstand, Lafayette and Jackson streets. Beach chairs or blankets a must.
On July 7, at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, the entire recruit company will participate in a Sunset Parade, which is open to the public. Guests are asked to be seated on the parade ground by 8 p.m. It is estimated the event will begin at 8:07 p.m, with sunset at 8:27 p.m.
Sunset Parades are colorful, inspiring military ceremonies featuring the Recruit Band, Drill Team, marching troops, cannon fire, and a low-level fly over by a Coast Guard helicopter. There is no admission charge. Children are welcome to attend, but should be accompanied by an adult. If the parade is cancelled due to inclement weather a message will be left on the phone number 898-6700. The public can also call that number the day of the parade for updated information.
LOWER TOWNSHIP
On July 3, Lower Township invites the public to enjoy its annual Independence Day Festival beginning at 5 p.m. between Lincoln Boulevard and Emerson Avenue, North Cape May. There will be four live bands, food items for purchase from ice cream to crab cakes and amusement rides to keep the children entertained. End the night with an amazing fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. on the Bayfront in North Cape May. Rain date for the event is July 5. For information call 609-886-2005, ext. 9.
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP
Go out and join Middle Township to celebrate Independence Day at the Davies Sports Complex, 626 Goshen Road, Court House. Check out the free fireworks and music from the band Soulshine. Also, you can see the first Little Patriotic Kids Contest for ages 6 months to 8 years old. All winners will receive a trophy and all participants will receive a certificate. To join in the contest it is only $4 with early registration and $6 for the day of the contest per child. All children must be dressed in patriotic attire to enter. Registration the day of begins at 4:45 to 5:45 and the contest will begin at 6 p.m. Music and activities will begin at 5 p.m. and finally end the day with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m.
NORTH WILDWOOD
Begin your day at the 10th annual Pooch Parade at Eighth and Atlantic avenues on the baseball field. Registration continues from 8:15-8:45 a.m. The parade’s theme will be patriotic and all dogs are welcome to join to compete for prizes.
Celebrate the nation at the Independence Day Parade beginning at Ninth and Atlantic avenues at 9 a.m. and proceeds north to First and Surf avenues. Decorated bikes, strollers, and wagons will be on parade. Prizes will be awarded for best decorated bikes, strollers and wagons in Red-White-Blue theme. Check-in for marchers is between 8-8:45 a.m. The parade is free for all spectators. For entry information, contact North Wildwood Recreation Center 522-2955.
OCEAN CITY
Go to Ninth Street beach to partake in the kite flying competition beginning at 5 p.m. followed by entertainment and a fireworks display off of Ninth Street beach. For information, contact 525-9300. Join in on the bike parade on the Fourth of July. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Longport Bridge Parking Lot. The parade begins at 10 a.m., for more information contact 525-9300. See the fireworks on the barge at sea off of the Music Pier. Those fireworks can be seen from the boardwalk between Eighth and Ninth streets beginning at 9:30 p.m.
SEA ISLE CITY
Begin your holiday with the Junior Olympics, sponsored by the City’s Department of Community Services and hosted by volunteers, which will take place at Dealy Field Recreation Complex between 59th street & 63rd street. This event is free for boys and girls ages 3-13. The kids will compete by age and gender in many different contests as their loved ones cheer along the sidelines. The top winners in each contest will receive Olympic medals while they stand on a three tiered victory platform like champions. The event will last two hours. Make sure to bring your hats, sunscreen and water to stay cool while watching the Olympics.
For information contact the recreation department 263-0050. For the afternoon enjoy a free patriotic concert at Excursion Park Band Shell. The concert is located at JFK Blvd and the Promenade and it begins at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature Glover and& Company and they will perform a “Tribute to America.” Make sure to bring a blanket and chair to relax and enjoy the night with friends and family. For information about this concert, contact 263-8687.
Finish the night with Sea Isle City’s annual Independence Day fireworks. The show will begin at 9 p.m. and the “rocket’s red glare” will be launched from a barge that will be located near 50th Street beach. The fireworks will be visible for all spectators to see along the promenade and many other places in the surrounding areas. The rain date will be July 5. For information, contact Sea Isle City Recreational Dept. at 263-0050.
STONE HARBOR
Come out to enjoy the Fourth of July Celebration on 81st Street Recreational Field. Beginning at 9 a.m. there will be a Sand Sculpture Contest, followed by Hoys 5 & 10 Candy Scramble at 10 a.m. The Phillies Home Run Derby, Slow Bike Race and foot races all start at 10:30 a.m., a Decorated Bike Contest at 11:45 a.m., and food will be served at 6 p.m. There will be a concert featuring the BLT Band beginning at 7 p.m. and fireworks will begin at dusk. Also, there will be many games and contests for children to enjoy.
UPPER TOWNSHIP
The Strathmere Fourth of July Parade will be one of the season’s high points. Registration will be at the firehouse at 9:30 am. Judging will be at 10 a.m. and the parade will step off on Commonwealth Avenue at Williard Road at 10:30 a.m. The parade will proceed down Commonwealth to Prescott Road, west to Bayview Drive and up Bayview to the Deauville Inn, where refreshments will be provided and prizes will be awarded. Motorists should be aware of traffic routes and delays that morning. The parade is sponsored by the Strathmere Improvement Association and the Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company.
For information, call chairmen Ken or Jessica Weaver at 263-6846.
Enjoy a “grand” fireworks display that will be held at Amanda’s Field Recreation Complex, Route 50 and Sunset Avenue, Petersburg. Fireworks start at dusk. The rain date will be July 5.
WILDWOOD
The Wildwoods Vietnam Wall Foundation begins the holiday with its Fourth of July Patriotic 5K Beach n’ Boardwalk Run and One-Mile Family Remembrance Walk. Registration 7 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. at Wildwoods Convention Center. 5K Beach n’ Boards Run 9 a.m. Family Walk – 9:05 a.m. Registration: $25 per adult, $10 per student (18 and younger). Runners are encouraged to wear red, white and blue to show their patriotism.
Starting at 6 p.m., enjoy the Jimmy Buffett tribute band perform a free summer concert. Make sure to bring a blanket or beach chair and prepare for night of fun. The concert will be at Fox Park between Atlantic and Ocean avenues. For information, contact the Wildwoods Convention Center 729-9000.
The Philadelphia Mummers will perform from 7-9 p.m. along the Wildwoods Boardwalk from 16th Avenue in North Wildwood to the Wildwoods Convention Center, Burk Avenue and Boardwalk.
Also at 7 p.m., the Wildwood Talent Showcase will feature dancers from ages 6 to18 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.
At 10 p.m. people all over The Wildwoods will be able to enjoy a spectacular free fireworks show extravaganza. Originating from the beach at Pine Avenue in Wildwood, this Fourth of July pyrotechnics display will be sure to awe and amaze, and is visible from almost anywhere on the island.
WILDWOOD CREST
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.