Parades, Fireworks, BBQs and More Planned for Independence Day Weekend
Morris County communities are commemorating America’s 250th anniversary with Independence Day celebrations throughout the holiday week, including parades, fireworks, concerts, historical reenactments, public readings of the Declaration of Independence and family-friendly events.
Many of the programs are part of the nationwide America250 initiative, recognizing the nation’s Semiquincentennial and Morris County’s role in the American Revolution.
Beginning Thursday, July 2, residents are also encouraged to participate in “Light to Unite,” a nationwide initiative inviting homes, businesses and public buildings to display red, white and blue lights through Wednesday, July 8. Share photos on social media with #NJLightToUnite and mention @MorrisCountyNJ for a reshare.
Local Independence Day Celebrations
- Dover will celebrate with live music and fireworks beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2.
- Mountain Lakes will hold a community barbecue Thursday, July 2, followed by its annual fireworks display Friday, July 3.
- Chatham Borough will host its annual parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, proceeding west along Main Street. Fireworks will follow at Chatham Middle School.
- Denville Days runs Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, at Gardner Field, featuring live entertainment, carnival attractions and a concert with fireworks on Saturday, July 4.
- East Hanover will celebrate Saturday, July 4, with food, music, a DJ and fireworks.
- Florham Park is hosting “America’s Birthday Bash” will host “America’s Birthday Bash” on Saturday, July 4. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. in the center of town and concludes at Borough Hall, where a family picnic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. will feature rides, live music, barbecue and food trucks. A community rendition of “Happy Birthday” to America is planned for noon, followed by evening fireworks beginning at 7 p.m.
- Morristown National Historical Park will present its annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence at Washington’s Headquarters, the Ford Mansion, on Saturday, July 4. A “Warm-Up for the Declaration” begins at noon with a park ranger in period clothing offering historical interpretation for visitors. The official reading begins at 1 p.m.
- Mendham Township (Brookside) will hold its annual Fourth of July parade Saturday, July 4.
- Parsippany-Troy Hills continues its America Week celebration, culminating with a community barbecue and fireworks Saturday, July 4.
- Whippany Burying Yard Fourth of July guided tour will offer guided tours Saturday, July 4, highlighting Morris County’s oldest colonial cemetery, established in 1718, where veterans of the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the Civil War are buried. Registration is required.
- Borough of Madison will host a U.S. Marine Corps 250th anniversary celebration on Thursday, July 2 at Madison High School with remarks from military and local officials, including Morris County Commissioner John Krickus, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, followed by performances by the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and the 2nd Marine Division Band.
- A half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display at Peterson Field in Rockaway Township from July 2-6. The traveling memorial honors the more than 58,000 service members who died during the Vietnam War, including 69 from Morris County. An opening ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 2, featuring the reading of the names of Morris County’s fallen, remarks by elected officials and military leaders, including Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw, a wreath-laying ceremony and the playing of Taps. Volunteers will assist visitors in locating names on the wall and making commemorative name rubbings.