Morris County communities to celebrate America’s 250th with parades, fireworks and family events
MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Communities across Morris County will mark America’s 250th anniversary this Independence Day with parades, fireworks, concerts, historical reenactments and other family-friendly events throughout the holiday weekend.
Many of the celebrations are part of the nationwide America250 initiative, recognizing the nation’s Semiquincentennial and Morris County’s significant role in the American Revolution.
Residents also are encouraged to participate in the nationwide “Light to Unite” campaign beginning July 2 by illuminating homes, businesses and public buildings in red, white and blue through July 8. Participants are invited to share photos on social media using #NJLightToUnite and tag @MorrisCountyNJ.
Among the scheduled Independence Day events:
- Dover will host live music and fireworks beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2.
- Mountain Lakes will hold a community barbecue Thursday, July 2, followed by fireworks Friday, July 3.
- Denville Days runs Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, at Gardner Field with carnival rides, live entertainment and fireworks on July 4.
- Chatham Borough will hold its annual Fourth of July parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, followed by fireworks at Chatham Middle School.
- East Hanover will celebrate with food, music, a DJ and fireworks on July 4.
- Florham Park will host its annual “America’s Birthday Bash” on July 4, featuring a 9:30 a.m. parade, a family picnic, rides, live music, barbecue, food trucks, a community rendition of “Happy Birthday” to America at noon and evening fireworks.
- Morristown National Historical Park will present its annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence at Washington’s Headquarters, the Ford Mansion, beginning at 1 p.m. July 4, preceded by historical interpretation at noon.
- Mendham Township will hold its annual Fourth of July parade in the Brookside section.
- Parsippany-Troy Hills will conclude its America Week celebration with a community barbecue and fireworks on July 4.
- The Whippany Burying Yard will offer guided Fourth of July tours highlighting Morris County’s oldest colonial cemetery. Registration is required.
The celebration will continue after the holiday weekend with additional Semiquincentennial events.
On July 8, Morris County will participate in the nationwide “Sharing the Spirit of America” initiative with a synchronized public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 6 p.m. on the lawn of the historic Morris County Courthouse in Morristown.
Other upcoming events include the Morris County Traveling Mural Project at the Morris County Library on July 7, Boonton Township’s chapel concert on July 7, Randolph’s Freedom Festival July 9-11, Lake Hopatcong’s America250 boat parade and paddling events on July 11, Mount Arlington’s historical celebration on July 11 and Mountain Lakes’ Stars, Stripes & Sirens Community Photo Exhibit and Touch-a-Truck event on July 11.
Additional parades, festivals and fireworks displays are planned throughout Morris County’s 39 municipalities during the anniversary year.
A complete calendar of Morris County’s 250th anniversary events is available at morriscounty250.com.
