At The Shore: Festivals and Events for Fourth of July Week

By SARAH KNEIFF Looking for a fun and unique event to attend this Fourth of July week? Check out these top happenings, from July 2 to July 7, in Atlantic City, Cape May and up and down the New Jersey coastline. July 2 Festival of the Sea The Festival of the Sea is held in the St. Francis Parish & Center parking lot, situated at 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach in Ocean County. There will be food, rides, games and community spirit. The festival takes place July 2-6 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. stfrancisparishlbi.org. July 3 Boat Parade in Avalon The annual boat parade will be held in Avalon at 6:30 p.m. on July 3. For more information visit: avalonrecreation.org. Independence Day Festival Lower Township’s Independence Day Festival begins at 5 p.m. on the bayfront on July 3 in North Cape May. There will be live music, food, vendors, rides for kids and fireworks at 9 p.m. For more information visit: townshipoflower.org. State Fair Meadowlands The largest fair in New Jersey, State Fair Meadowlands, will have fireworks, over 100 rides and attractions, free entertainment, food and more on July 3 and 4. For more information visit: njfair.com. A Revolutionary Celebration Join Gen. George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Baron von Steuben for this annual celebration in East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway, featuring a reenactment of the fue de joie (fire of joy) that took place on July 4, 1778. The Libby Prison Minstrels and Mark Heter Band will perform live music. This will take place from 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. middlesexcountynj.gov. Frank “Dutch” Cleenput Annual 4th of July Softball Game Come and enjoy the Annual Frank “Dutch” Cleenput 4th of July Softball Game at the Cliff Gennarelli Sports Complex. Whether you’re a fan of Paramus Finest or Paramus Bravest, make sure to join them as they compete for the trophy and bragging rights. This fun-filled event is free for all to attend. For more information visit: paramuschamber.org. Antique Car Show The Lakehurst Elementary School is holding an antique car show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. lakehurst-nj.gov. July 4 Jersey City Festival Jersey City’s 4th of July Festival and Fireworks will be held at the Exchange Place. It will feature live entertainment, food trucks, music and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. For more information visit: freedomandfireworks.com. Stone Harbor’s Independence Day Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with contests, races and a homerun derby. Around 7:30 p.m., evening events will kick off with a concert by the BLT Band, followed by fireworks. stoneharbornj.org. Oceanfest Oceanfest is the biggest seasonal event on the Jersey Shore — in fact, it’s the biggest Independence Day celebration anywhere in New Jersey, and it happens every July 4th from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Long Branch. Each year since 1990, crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands have descended upon the city’s oceanfront promenade for an all day, family-friendly festival that brings together music, food, a craft sale, street fair, and of course, firework. For more information visit: oceanfestnj.com. Fourth of July Parade and Celebration The Village of Ridgefield Park’s annual parade was founded in 1894 and is one of the oldest in the U.S. The main civic parade starts at 11:30 a.m. on Preston Street. Beforehand, a baby and youth parade begins at 9 a.m. near the intersection of Poplar Street and Euclid Avenue. For more information visit: ridgefieldpark.org. Cape May Celebration Congress Hall’s grand Fourth of July celebration returns for its 208th summer of fun. This year, the hall will host its All-American Cookout on the Lawn. For more information visit: caperesorts.com. July 6 Red, Wine and Blueberry 5k Run Start your holiday weekend with a Red Wine & Blueberry 5k Run. Dress in your most patriotic outfit. Adults will run a 5K course on a flat multi-surface road to the Egg Harbor City Lake and back to Renault Winery. The event takes place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit: renaultwinery.com. Ocean Grove Independence Weekend The Ocean Grove parade starts rain or shine at 10:30 a.m. Later that evening, there is a concert at the Great Auditorium. For more information visit: oceangrove.org. July 7 Patriotic Fireworks and Band Lavallette will host its fireworks display at 9 p.m. in the Centennial Gardens and Gazebo. For more information visit: lavallette.org.