Get ready to celebrate Independence Day with a couple of big events in the area. The ninth annual Mercer County Freedom Festival on Saturday, June 29, at Mercer County Park in West Windsor from 3 to 11 p.m. Admission is free.
The event features food, beer and wine gardens, craft vendors, live music, tethered hot-air balloon rides, games, water rides, laser tag park, a children’s area with inflatable and mechanical rides, a classic car show, and more. A fireworks display will be presented at nightfall.
The concert lineup starts at 3:30 p.m. with the Mercer County Symphonic Band, and continues with Bigg Romeo at 5:30 p.m., the Amish Outlaws at 7:30 p.m., and Little Mac and the People’s Champ immediately after the fireworks. Visit www.mercercountyparks.org for more information.
Still feel like celebrating after July 4? Attend a screening of the musical, “1776,” at the State Theater in New Brunswick, on Sunday, July 7, at 5 p.m. Admission is free and the first 100 attendees receive a “The Constitution of the United States” booklet. Following the film, the festivities continue with a live reading of the Declaration of Independence at 7:45pm in Monument Square at the corner of George Street and Livingston Avenue, and fireworks at Boyd Park.
Other festive events in the area include:
Friday, June 28
Stars n’ Stripes, Washington Crossing Open Air Theater, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, 7:30 p.m. Musical revue. Blankets, seat cushions, a flashlight, and insect repellent are recommended. Snack bar. $15. 267-885-9857. www.dpacatoat.com.
Saturday, June 29
Stars n’ Stripes, Washington Crossing Open Air Theater, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, 7:30 p.m. Musical revue. Blankets, seat cushions, a flashlight, and insect repellent are recommended. Snack bar. $15. 267-885-9857. www.dpacatoat.com.
Freedom Festival, Mercer County, Mercer County Park, West Windsor, 3 to 11 p.m. Food, games, beer and wine gardens, craft vendors, tethered hot-air balloon rides, water rides, mechanical bull rides, games, and inflatable rides. This is the first year for a classic car show. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Mercer County Symphonic Band at 3 p.m.; Bigg Romeo at 5:30 p.m.; Amish Outlaws at 7:30 p.m.; and Little Mac and the People’s Champ at 10:15 p.m. Free admission. 609-448-7107. www.wpst.com/freedomfestival.
Sunday, June 30
Concert and Fireworks, Hopewell Valley Veterans Association, Alliger Park, 203 Washington Crossing Pennington Road, Titusville, 7:30 p.m. Concert by the 78th Army Band followed by fireworks display. A variety of music including military songs and traditional concert pieces. Alcohol is prohibited. Carpooling is recommended. Free. For information E-mail information@hopewellvalleyveterans.org. . www.hopewellvalleyveterans.org.
New Jersey Symphony Concert, Mercer County Park Commission, Lake Mercer, Mercer County Park, West Windsor, 7:30 p.m. Symphony music followed by fireworks show. Free. 609-448-1854. www.mercercounty.org.
Stars n’ Stripes, Washington Crossing Open Air Theater, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, 7:30 p.m. Musical revue. Blankets, seat cushions, a flashlight, and insect repellent are recommended. Snack bar. $15. 267-885-9857. www.dpacatoat.com.
Wednesday, July 3
Fireworks, East Windsor Township, Etra Lake Park, 6 p.m. Music. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Raindate is Friday, July 5. 609-443-4000. www.east-windsor.nj.us.
Fireworks, Hamilton Township, Veterans Park, Hamilton, 6:30 p.m. Music and vendors. Fireworks at dusk. Raindate is Friday, July 5. 609-890-4028. www.hamiltonnj.com.
Fireworks, Spirit of Princeton, Princeton University Sports Fields, 7 p.m. Independence Day celebration. Picnics welcome. Bring blankets or chairs. No alcoholic beverages. 609-683-4008. www.spiritofprinceton.homestead.com.
Thursday, July 4
Celebration, Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission, Thompson Park, Monroe, 5 p.m. Music and vendors. Fireworks at dusk. Free. 732-521-2111. www.monroetownshipculturalarts.com.
July 4 Celebration, Oceanfest, Great Lawn, Long Branch, 7:30 p.m. Goldenseal headlines the concert. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. 732-222-0400. www.oceanfestnj.com.
I Love New York Brass, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, 54 Pitman Avenue, Ocean Grove, 7:30 p.m. Music for brass sextet and percussion features patriotic music, Americana, songs from the American songbook, gospel hymns, and more. $15. 800-590-4064. www.oceangrove.org.
Independence Day Parade, Ewing Township, Parkside Avenue, Ewing, 10 a.m. Tone Rangers Band perform. The parade ends at the high school. 609-883-2900. ewingnj.org.
Old-Fashioned Celebration, Fonthill Museum, East Court Street and Swamp Road, Doylestown, noon to 4 p.m. Recreation of an early 20th century July Fourth celebration including a decorated bike parade, a town ball game (19th century baseball), a watermelon eating contest, antique bicycle display, old-time games, and live music. $4. Bring your own picnic or purchase from vendors. No dogs allowed. Heavy rain cancels event. 215-348-9461. www.mercermuseum.org.
Independence Day Parade, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, Whitefield Avenue, Ocean Grove, 10:30 a.m. Marching bands, floats, community groups, civic organizations, businesses, and more. Musical participants include Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelaghs, Bagpiper Joe Simmons, Monmouth County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, Neptune High School Marching Band, and more. 732-775-0035. www.oceangrove.org.
Open House, Princeton Battlefield Society, Princeton Battlefield Park, 500 Mercer Road, Princeton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reading of the Declaration of Independence by John Mills, the park’s curator. 908-295-3732. www.theprincetonbattlefieldsociety.com.
July 4 Jubilee, Morven Museum, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, Noon to 3 p.m. Sign the Declaration of Independence, commemorate the 13 colonies, participate in domestic colonial life activities, meet George Washington, live music with the Riverside Bluegrass Band, refreshments, and more. Admission is free. 609-924-8144. www.morven.org.
Choral Concert of Patriotic Music, William Trent House, 15 Market Street, Trenton, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Trenton Capital Singers perform an outdoor concert at 7 p.m. Bring a picnic. The first floor of the museum will be open for tours of the restored and furnished building as it would have been in the early 18th century. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Visit website in case of inclement weather. 609-989-0087. www.Williamtrenthouse.org.
Independence Day Celebration, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mill Creek Park, Beverly Rancocas Road, Willingboro, noon. Short program followed by a barbecue. Register by E-mail to alnasrmosque@gmail.com.
Trenton Thunder, Arm & Hammer Park, Route 29, Trenton, 7:05 p.m. Reading. $11 to $27. Independence Day fireworks. 609-394-3300. www.trentonthunder.com.
Friday, July 5
Fireworks, Foundation for Bordentown Traditions, Veterans Memorial Park, Ward Avenue, Bordentown, 4 to 9:30 p.m. Concert by Blind Lemon Pie, food, children’s play area. Fireworks at dusk. E-mail bordentowntraditions@gmail.com for information. Rain date is Sunday, July 7. 609-298-4332.
Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks, South Brunswick Recreation, Beechwoods Park, Monmouth Junction, 6 p.m. Music from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Fireworks at dust. Food vendors. Raindate for fireworks is Saturday, July 6, 8:45 p.m. Free. 732-329-4000. www.sbtnj.net.
Concert and Fireworks, Cranbury, Main Street 6:30 p.m. Concert by Mercer County Symphonic Band followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Bring blankets and a picnic dinner (no alcoholic beverages). 609-395-0900.
Independence Day Celebration, Foundation for Bordentown Traditions, Veterans Memorial Park, Ward Avenue, 4 to 9:30 p.m. Live music, food, children’s play area, and fireworks. Restaurant space available. Volunteers and donations are needed. E-mail bordentowntraditions@gmail.com for information. 856-340-6327.
Fireworks and Concert, Lawrence Township, Rider University, 7 p.m. Concert followed by fireworks at 9:40 p.m. E-mail sgroeger@lawrencetwp.com. 609-844-7067. www.lawrencetwp.com.
Friday Night Fireworks, New Hope Chamber, New Hope and Lambertville, 5 p.m. Happy hours, dining, shopping, live music, and celebrity guests in conjunction with fireworks over the Delaware River at 9:30 p.m. Inclement weather cancels. Free. 215-862-9990. www.newhopeLambertvillefireworks.com.
Saturday, July 6
Fireworks, Ewing Township, Green Lane, College of New Jersey, Ewing, 7:30 p.m. Fireworks at sundown. 609-883-2900. ewingnj.org.
Strike Up the Band, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, 54 Pitman Avenue, Ocean Grove, 8 p.m. Annual Independence Day concert presented by the multi generational summer band directed by Harry Eichhorn. Marches, show tunes, and patriotic fare. 800-590-4064. www.oceangrove.org.
Sunday, July 7
Fourth of July Celebration, State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, 5 p.m. Screening of “1776,” the 1972 musical film. The first 100 attendees receive a copy of “The Constitution of the United States” booklet. Live reading of the Declaration of Independence at 7:45 p.m. in Monument Square, at the corner of George Street and Livingston Avenue. Fireworks follow at Boyd Park. Free. 732-246-7469. www.StateTheatreNJ.org.
Thursday, July 11
Fireworks, Montgomery Township, Montgomery High School, 6 p.m. Music by Rock and Soul, activities for the children, and fireworks at dusk. Food and beverages available. Raindate is Thursday, July 11. Visit website for more information and to purchase a parking pass. No alcohol or pets. 347-385-5578. www.montgomeryfireworks.com.
Friday, July 12
Annual Festival, Freedom Fest State Fair, Horse Park of NJ, 626 Route 524, Allentown, 5 to 11 p.m. Carnival midway, rides, pie eating contests, horse shows, and more. Concert by Eryn Shewell. Fireworks. Rain or shine. $10. 609-610-0910. freedomfeststatefair.com.
