Event Calendar
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Maplewood 4th of July
July 4, 2014 @ 7:30 am - 10:00 pm
$10 – $15
Maplewood’s Annual July 4th is the 112th organized by the July Fourth Committee of the Maplewood Civic Association. It is A Full Day of Family Fun, a hometown community experience, featuring an old-fashioned circus and dazzling fireworks.
July Fourth in Maplewood, over a century ago, was celebrated with a town-wide picnic, a keynote speaker (usually a politician), athletic contests and barbecues. Citizens, generally in groupings by neighborhood, made their way to the picnic grounds. Informal processions gradually turned into elaborate parades with costumes and bands, becoming fierce (and expensive) competitions between neighborhoods.
The July Fourth Committee was formed to unite the township activities. Eventually the Maplewood Civic Association was organized, encompassing the Committee and dedicated to a tradition of family-oriented July Fourth celebrations.
REGISTRATION
Registration is required for KIds’ Dashes & Relay Races. Forms are available at Memorial and Hilton Libraries, Town Hall, Board of Education school websites (“Digital Backpack Flyers”) and right here.
TICKETS
Tags may be purchased at Gates. Seating on the grass; folding chairs permitted in designated areas. Physically Challenged: Handicapped parking and accommodations available to vehicles operated/occupied by handicapped. Please check with police officer.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Fireworks: Parental discretion advised for small children and pets.
Rain Date: July 5. (Circus and indoor events will be July 4, rain or shine).
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in Maplewood parks.
FOLLOW US
Welcome to friends who want to give feedback regarding Maplewood’s July Fourth events. Follow us on Facebook.
8:00am (7:00am registration): 7TH ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY 5K RUN
Start and Finish on Dunnell Road near Civic House (near 124 Dunnell Road). Participation requires separate registration and fee. Benefits CHS Cross-Country. Download the flyer here.
8:00am: JULY 4th OPENING CEREMONIES
Ricalton Square
8:15am: KIDS’ BIKES, ETC. PARADE
Steps off from Ricalton with everything you can push, pedal or pull; decorated red, white & blue; all ages.
9:00am: KIDS’ DASHES & RELAYS
Athletic field south of Oakview Ave.; 1st-2nd-3rd place ribbons. Dashes & Relays require registration. Forms available July 4 or at Libraries, Town Hall, online at SOM school websites, or right here.
10:00am–2:00pm: CHS ROBOTICS CLUB
Students display & demonstrate at Skate House.
10:00am: ART PROJECT
Participatory Community Pixel/Box ART PROJECT by John Kaufman; All Ages; sponsors: Memorial Post 10120 VFW & 1978 Arts Center. Ball Field south of Oakview Avenue, near Valley and Oakview. Download the flyer here.
11:00am: ICE CREAM EATING CONTESTS
In picnic area next to playground, sponsored and presented by Maplewood Rotary
11:00am: TENNIS CONTESTS
At Civic House tennis courts: fastest serve and most accurate serve; presented by Maplewood Recreation Tennis Program
11:30am: BAKING CONTEST
In Town Hall; all ages. Judging directed by Janet Crane. Baking Contest entries need to be at Town Hall between 9 – 9:30 a.m.
NOTE: that there is NO ENTRY to fireworks firing area after noon.
12noon to 3:00pm: KARAOKE
Presented by New Jersey DJ Services LLC in Athletic field south of Oakview Ave.
12noon to 3:00pm: ADULT SOFTBALL
In Athletic field south of Oakview Ave., ball field near Valley and Baker
12:00noon: KIDS’ PERCUSSION
In Athletic field south of Oakview Ave., presented by Ethical Culture Society and Children’s Music Network.
12:00noon: PET AWARDS SHOW
In front of Town Hall: All Types, All Sizes! with support from PetSmart. Emceed by Art and Willie Gartenlaub.
NOTE: that one tag per person is required for admission to the Circus or to concert/fireworks spectator area.
1:00pm. & 3:30pm & 6:00pm: ZERBINI FAMILY CIRCUS
Under the Big Top in Athletic field NORTH of Oakview. Rain or Shine! 1st Come, 1st Served! No Reserved Seats! SEATING IS LIMITED so line up early! Check them out here.
4:00pm to 9:00pm: LIVE MUSIC
On lawn in Athletic field south of Oakview Ave.; Performances until Fireworks. Picnic until fireworks: Ice cream vendor; Blue Plate Special handcrafted meals; Maplewood BSA Troop 5’s burgers, hotdogs, sodas. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in Maplewood parks.
9:00 pm: FIREWORKS
Come early! Times approximate. Parental discretion advised for small children and pets: consider viewing fireworks from a distance. Rain Date: July 5. (Circus and indoor events will be July 4, rain or shine).
