Each and every Cape May County municipality has a host of special events planned to celebrate our nation’s birthday this year. Here, we share the details of each town’s festivities and, of course, FIREWORKS! Happy Independence Day 2014!
CAPE MAY
UPDATE: The Cape May fireworks have been cancelled. Rough sea conditions soaked the fireworks while in transit.
Information on Cape May Convention Hall and other events can be found at www.discovercapemaynj.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capemaycity and follow us on Twitter @capemaycity.
STONE HARBOR
UPDATE: Join in on the fun on Saturday, July 5, for the Fourth of July Celebration on 81st Street Recreational Field. Beginning at 9 a.m., there will be a Sand Sculpture Contest, followed by the Hoy’s 5 & 10 Candy Scramble and foot races at 10 a.m. The Phillies Home Run Derby and Slow Bike Race will be held at 10:30 a.m. and a Decorated Bike Contest will follow at 11:45. Evening festivities, including live music sponsored by the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company and dinner, will begin at 6 p.m. Check out the fireworks show from the soccer field at 9:30 p.m. Also, there will be many games and contests for children to partake in throughout the day.
WILDWOOD
UPDATE: Due to the forecasted possibility of rain and/or higher than normal winds on Friday, July 4th, the Independence Day Fireworks Display will be launched on Saturday, July 5th at 10:00 p.m. from Pine Avenue and the Beach. Regular Friday Night Fireworks will continue beginning Friday, July 11th at 10:00 p.m.
Begin your day with a Pooch Parade stepping off from 8th & Atlantic Avenues at the baseball field at 8:30 a.m. The parade will be patriotically themed and all dogs are welcome to join to compete for prizes. Celebrate our nation at the Independence Day Parade beginning at 9th and Atlantic Avenues at 9 a.m. The parade is free for all spectators. For more information, contact the Wildwoods Recreation Center 609-522-2955.
Starting at 6 p.m. July 4, families can enjoy a free Summer Concert at Fox Park featuring “Changes in Latitude,” a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Bring your beach chair or blanket and groove to the smooth sounds of Jimmy Buffett classics such as “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Volcano” and many more. “Changes in Latitude” is sure to have the crowd on its feet dancing and singing along. For additional information, call 609-729-9000.
A Fourth of July Patriotic free Show will take place at Centennial Park in Wildwood Crest on Friday at 8 p.m. featuring the Manhattan Dolls. Bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy the sounds of this swing-style female vocal trio singing the tunes of the 1920’s through the 1960’s. Centennial Park is located at Fern Road and Ocean Avenue. For additional information call 609-523-0202 or visit www.VisitWildwoodCrest.com.
At 10 p.m. on July 5, people all over the Wildwoods will enjoy a spectacular fireworks show extravaganza. Originating from the beach at Pine Avenue in Wildwood, this incredible Fourth of July pyrotechnics display will be sure to awe and amaze, and is visible from almost anywhere on the island.
Additionally, The Fourth of July Boardwalk Craft Show will be held all weekend long from July 4 to July 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily on the boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue, rain or shine. All handmade products will be sold in tents along the boardwalk. For more information call 609-522-0378, 609-522-0198 or visit www.BoardwalkCrafts.com.
AVALON
UPDATE: The Borough of Avalon has postponed its popular fireworks display from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6 due to inclement weather and rough sea conditions. The fireworks will originate from a barge offshore at 30th Street beach on Sunday at 9 p.m. All are welcome to celebrate the holiday on Sunday the 6th at Recreational Field on 10th Street for field races beginning at 9:30 a.m. Later that evening, meet on 30th Street and the beach at 6 p.m. to watch the Bay-Atlantic Symphony concert Avalon Community Hall. Finish the night with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m. on 30th Street Beach.
SEA ISLE CITY
UPDATE: Due to poor weather predictions, the following changes are being made to Sea Isle City’s July Fourth weekend events.
Junior Olympics: Sea Isle City’s annual July Fourth Junior Olympics at Dealy Field are cancelled with no re-schedule date.
Atlantic Pops Concert: The July Fourth Atlantic Pops Concert at the Sea Isle City Band Shell is cancelled with no re-scheduled date.
July Fourth Fireworks: Sea Isle City’s July Fourth Fireworks are postponed until Sat., July 5, at 9:15 p.m. If surf and wind conditions do not improve enough by Sat. night, Sea Isle’s Fireworks will be re-scheduled again for July 6, at 9:15 p.m.
Saturday Night Concert (New Time): The Neil Diamond tribute concert at the Sea Isle City Band Shell July 5, will begin at 7:30 p.m. (not 8:00 p.m.). This time change will allow concert-goers to also enjoy the fireworks on July 5 at 9:15 p.m.
OCEAN CITY
UPDATE: The City of Ocean City has postponed the Independence Day fireworks display until Saturday, July 5 at 9:30 p.m. The display is best viewed from the boardwalk. On July 4, dress your cruiser up in red, white, and blue and join in on the Bike Parade on July 4! Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Longport Bridge Parking Lot. The parade begins at 10 a.m. Later, meet at 9th street Beach to partake in the kite flying competition beginning at 7 p.m. followed by entertainment. For more information, contact 609-525-9300.
CAPE MAY
Bring your friends and family to Cape May to enjoy a beautiful Fourth of July night. Listen to the sounds of the Congress Street Brass Band at the Rotary Park beginning at 8 p.m., or make your way to the beach to watch the fireworks extravaganza commencing around the same time. Be sure to bring a blanket or chair to just relax and enjoy the show.
LOWER TOWNSHIP
UPDATE: Lower Township is rescheduling its Independence Day Festival and Fireworks until Saturday July 5 due to the forecast for inclement weather. Lower Township invites you to enjoy its annual Independence Day Festival from 5 to 9 p.m. between Lincoln Blvd and Emerson Avenue. There will be three live bands, food items from ice cream to crab cakes and plenty of amusement rides to keep the kids entertained. End the night with an amazing fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. on the bayfront in North Cape May. For additional information, call 609-886-2005, ext. 9.
UPPER TOWNSHIP
The annual Strathmere Fourth of July Parade will be held on Friday morning. The parade will step off on Commonwealth Avenue at the blinking light at 10:00 a.m. After, gather at Amanda’s Field Recreation Complex in Petersburg for more patriotic fun! Join the Upper Township Boy Scout Troop and American Legion Post 239 of Tuckahoe for a salute to veterans. Next, listen to the sounds of the Kenny Young Band & D-Suspended Band with an intermission by the Let’s Party Painters Characters at 4:30 p.m. There will be many activities for children including face painting, pony rides, and a moon bounce as well as refreshments for all. Rain Date is July 5.
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP
UPDATE: Middle Township is moving its slate of July 4th events to Sunday, July 6th, starting at 4 p.m. and culminating with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Come out and join Middle Township to celebrate Independence Day at the Davies Sports Complex located at 626 Goshen Road in Cape May Court House. Check out the free fireworks and music from the band Soulshine. Also, check the 2nd Annual Little Patriotic Kids Contest for ages 6 months to 8 years old. All winners will receive a trophy and all participants will receive a certificate. To join in the contest it is only $4 with early registration and $6 for the day of the contest per child. All children must be dressed in patriotic attire to enter. Registration the day of begins at 4:45 to 5:45 and the contest will begin at 6 p.m. Music and activities will begin at 5 p.m. and finally end the day with fireworks beginning at 9 p.m.
For more information about these, and other holiday events, see the Herald’s online calendar.