One of the earliest Fourth of July celebrations will be held at the annual Freedom Festival at Mercer County Park Festival Grounds in West Windsor from Friday to Sunday, June 26 to 28.
“The Mercer County Freedom Festival is a great event for people of all ages to attend,” said Kevin B. Bannon, executive director of the Mercer County Park Commission. “Being able to increase the festivities to three days with the addition of our performing arts stage only heightens the experience of our annual celebration.”
The festivities will begin Friday, June 26, with Country Night, from 5 to 11 p.m., featuring Madeline Smith. Saturday, June 27, will be Top 40 Night, from 3 to 11 p.m., featuring Kristen & The Noise and Burnt, with fireworks following the concert. The Jersey Five, a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute band, and the New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra closes out the celebration on Sunday, June 28, from noon to 10 p.m.
The event features food, beer and wine gardens, craft vendors, live music, tethered hot-air balloon rides, games, water rides, a mechanical bull, a children’s area with inflatable rides, and more.
“The Freedom Festival gets better each year, with help from our lead sponsor, WPST, and we are so pleased that it has become an annual attraction,” says Brian Hughes, Mercer County executive. “Mercer County Park is more popular than ever and I invite everyone to come to this free family event.”
Freedom Festival, Mercer County, Mercer County Park, West Windsor. Friday to Sunday, June 26 to 28. Free admission. 609-448-7107. www.wpst.com/freedomfestival.
Fireworks, History, and Music:
Wednesday, July 1
Montgomery Township, Montgomery High School, Skillman. 6 p.m. Music by Pi Fight Band, food vendors, games, and fireworks. 347-385-5578. www.montgomeryfireworks.org.
Thursday, July 2
Hamilton Township, Veterans Park, Hamilton. 6 p.m. Concert, food vendors, and fireworks. 609-890-4028. www.hamiltonnj.com.
Highland Park, Donaldson Park. Thursday, July 2, 5 p.m. Live music, food vendors, youth theater musical revue, activities, demonstrations, and fireworks.
South Brunswick Recreation, South Crossroads Middle School fields, Major and Georges roads. 6 p.m. Music, entertainment, food vendors, music, and fireworks. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Raindate for fireworks is July 5, 9:15 p.m. Free. 732-329-4000. www.sbtnj.net.
Spirit of Princeton, Princeton University Sports Fields. 7 p.m. Picnics welcome. Bring blankets or chairs. No alcoholic beverages. Fireworks at 9 p.m. 609-683-4008. www.spiritofprinceton.homestead.com.
Trenton Thunder, Arm & Hammer Park, Route 29, Trenton. Also Friday, July 3, 7 p.m. Altoona. $11 to $27. Fireworks after. 609-394-3300. www.trentonthunder.com.
Friday, July 3
East Windsor Township, Etra Lake Park, Etra Road. 6 p.m. Music by Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings Dixieland Jazz Band and the Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One Band. Food vendors. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Raindate is July 5. 609-443-4000. www.east-windsor.nj.us.
Greater Lambertville and New Hope Chamber of Commerce, On the River. 9 p.m. Presented by Garden State Fireworks.
Lawrence Township, Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville. 7 p.m. Concert followed by fireworks. 609-844-7067. www.lawrencetwp.com/rec.html.
Saturday, July 4
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.
Friends of Washington Crossing State Park, Washington Crossing Historic Park, Route 32, Washington Crossing, PA. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Re-enactors present a window into the past through military exercises, musket firings, and three readings of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of McKonkey’s Ferry Inn. $8 includes admission to Bowman’s Hill Tower, the Thompson Neely House, and the Lower Park. Rain or shine. Refreshments available for purchase. 215-493-4076. www.washingtoncrossingpark.org.
Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission, Thompson Park, Monroe. 5 p.m. Music, food vendors, petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, sand art, and more. Fireworks at dusk. Free. 732-521-2111. www.monroetownshipculturalarts.com.
July 4 Jubilee, Morven Museum, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Noon to 3 p.m. Visit Richard Stockton’s home, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, to celebrate American heritage. Sign the Declaration of Independence, commemorate the 13 colonies, participate in domestic colonial life activities including ice cream making, bread baking, papermaking, gunsmithing, and more; meet Benjamin Franklin, bluegrass music, refreshments by Oink & Moo BBQ, a dramatic presentation about Revolutionary Tea presented by Stacy Flora Roth, a celebration of art presented by Libby Ramage. Bring a blanket or chair. Free. Park at Princeton Theological Seminary or Monument Hall or on the street. 609-924-8144. www.morven.org.
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.
Happy Birthday, America, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, 54 Pitman Avenue, Ocean Grove. 8 p.m. Ocean Grove Summer Band presents a birthday concert for America. Harry D. Eichhorn directs a program of marches, show tunes, and patriotic fare. Free. 800-590-4064. www.oceangrove.org.
Princeton Battlefield State Park, Princeton Battlefield Park, 500 Mercer Road, Princeton. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Revolutionary War period soldiers demonstrate drill, artillery, and flintlock muskets. Clarke House volunteers demonstrate domestic skills. Period games will be available for children. Clarke House and the “Arms of the Revolution” exhibit open to tour. Presentation about the Battle of Princeton. Reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1 p.m. Bring a picnic lunch (no barbecues or alcohol). Hike in the Institute Woods. 609-921-0074.
Sunday, July 5
Concert and Fireworks, Cranbury, Maplewood Avenue. 6 p.m. Concert by Mercer County Symphonic Band followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Bring chairs, blankets, and a picnic (no alcohol). Rain date is July 6. 609-395-0900.
