America’s 249th anniversary in Morris County

MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. – Morris County will celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, parades and events honoring America’s founding and the county’s Revolutionary War history, with festivities continuing across multiple towns into mid-July.

At Morristown National Historical Park, the public is invited to a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon on July 4. Costumed interpreters will deliver the text as it was shared in 1776, when the Continental Congress first informed citizens of America’s independence. Visitors should arrive early for a “kids-level” introduction to the Declaration by a park ranger in period attire, along with colonial-era jokes, stories and musket demonstrations. The Ford Mansion and museum will also be open for tours. Pets are discouraged, and parking is limited.

Earlier on July 4, at 10 a.m., the Whippany Burying Yard in Hanover Township will host a free, public tour led by costumed interpreters. The cemetery, established in 1718, is the oldest colonial graveyard in Morris County and predates the founding of the United States. It is the final resting place of Revolutionary War soldiers, early settlers and ancestors of American presidents.

The reenactment of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1824 tour of the United States — highlighting his historic parade visit to Morristown — will begin at noon on July 13 on the Morristown Green, with commemorative events scheduled throughout July 12–14.

Also ongoing is the Morris County Historic Preservation Driving Tour, launched last week at Denville’s Ayres/Knuth Farm. The tour highlights 18 preserved historic sites that have received more than $1 million in funding through the Morris County Historic Preservation Trust Fund, which was established by public vote in 2002. An interactive ArcGIS StoryMap© detailing histories, photos and locations of all 129 sites supported by the program is available through the county website.

In addition to historic programs, many community celebrations are planned across the county, with fireworks, carnivals, music, races and parades scheduled throughout the week. A full listing is available on the Morris County Tourism Bureau’s website.

Highlights include:

July 3

• Dover, fireworks cancelled due to severe weather forecast. Postponed until July 10.
• Mountain Lakes, fireworks

July 4

• Whippany Burying Yard tour, Hanover Township
• Morristown National Historical Park, reading of the Declaration of Independence
• Chatham Borough, parade and fireworks
• Denville, music and fireworks
• Florham Park parade, picnic and fireworks (rain date for fireworks is July 5)
• Parsippany, concert and fireworks
• Central Park of Morris County, Market Street Mission’s 5K Race for Recovery

July 9-13

• Mount Olive Carnival, Turkey Brook Park, fireworks on July 11

July 10-12 

• Randolph Freedom Festival, featuring a three-day carnival and fireworks display on July 12 (check for rain date)

In preparation for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners has committed $200,000 over the past two years to the Morris County Tourism Bureau to support celebration efforts throughout 2025 and 2026.

Planning is being led by the Morris County Tourism Bureau, in partnership with the County Commissioners and the Morris County 250th Anniversary Steering Committee. Local celebrations began in September 2024 with the rededication of a Revolutionary War-era replica cannon outside Acorn Hall in Morristown.

For more information, visit morriscounty250.org.