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New Jersey 4th of July 2009 Independence Day Events





Independence Day Celebration, Belleville NJ - July 4th 2009
To begin the festivities on Saturday, July 4, the Recreation Department will hold its annual field day for youngsters, ages 4 - 12 at the Municipal Stadium starting promptly at 9:30 a.m.
The events, which will be open to all young Belleville residents, will be divided into three categories. There is a Junior division for ages 4 - 6; An Intermediate division for ages 7 - 9; and a Senior division for ages 10 - 12.
Events will include the 25, 50 and 100 yard dash, an agility race, a three-legged race, sack race, a girl’s tug-of-war and a boy’s tug-of-war.
All activities will be conducted by the members of the Belleville Recreation playground staff. Ribbons will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers and all will share in slices of watermelon.
On Saturday night, July 4, a fireworks display will be presented at the Stadium starting at sundown (approximately 9:15 p.m). The rain date for these events will be Sunday, July 5.
On July 4th, there will also be a Pre-Fireworks show beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Stadium. This year’s entertainment will include continuous music by a disc jockey, as well as the following performances:
MAGIC SHOW – featuring Joe Fischer8:00 p.m.
Sand Art and Spin Art will also be offered for a nominal fee, as well as Refreshments/ concessionaires.
In all, it promises to be an exciting holiday and Bellevillites young and old are invited to share in the glitter of our country’s historic day.
Independence Day Family Festival, Bridgewater, NJ - July 4, 2009
Independence Day Festival, Buena, NJ - July 5, 2009
Independence Day Celebration, Cape May, NJ - July 4, 2009
Independence Day Celebration - John Walter Cape, Cape May, NJ - July 5, 2009
Independence Day Celebration, Chester, NJ - July 4, 2009
City Picnic and Fireworks Display, Clifton, NJ - July 4, 2009
Independence Day Township Celebration, Collingswood, NJ - July 4, 2009
4th of July Fireworks, Denville, NJ - July 4, 2009
Fourth of July Celebration, East Hanover, NJ - July 4, 2009

Florham Park's July 4th Celebration, Florham Park, NJ - July 4, 2009
Florham Park has been throwing a party for the 4th of July for 52 years and it seems that they didn’t let the economy slow them down this year.
Here’s their extensive schedule of events for the day:
Schedule 9:00 AM Flag Raising Ceremony at Firehouse #1 on Brooklake Road
9:30 AM Parade begins (Rain or Shine) at Ridgedale Ave. and Brooklake Road Road
10:30–3:00 PM Family Picnic at the Borough Hall Lawn—Featuring…Kiddie Rides and Games Monster Wave Slide Mega Obstacle Course Fairytale Castle Combo Bungee Run Sea of Balls Trailer Hay Ride Sports Radar Cage 3-1-1 Sports Combo Petting Zoo and Pony Rides
Visit the St. Barnabas “Fire Safety House” And the July 4th Celebration Day Continued…
11:45 AM Presentation of Parade Trophies by Mayor Eveland
12 PM–3:00 PM Social Garden (must be over 21 to enter, mug purchase (required to enter).$6.00 mug purchase required to enter. Music provided by the Mariachi Band
9:00 PM Fireworks begin.
The rain date for the Florham Park Fireworks is Sunday, July 5, 2009.

Independence Day Celebration, Freehold, NJ - July 3, 2009
Independence Day Fireworks, Haddonfield, NJ - July 3, 2009
4th Of July Beach Party, Hamburg, NJ - July 4, 2009
July 4th Children's Patriotic Parade, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ - July 4, 2009
Fireworks, Hazlet, NJ - July 3, 2009
Independence Day Celebration, Hightstown, NJ - July 2, 2009
Fourth of July Fireworks, Lyndhurst, NJ - July 2, 2009
Gala Fourth of July Celebration, Manasquan, NJ - July 3, 2009
4th of July Celebration, Monroe Township, NJ - July 4, 2009
Fourth of July Celebration, Ocean City, NJ - July 4, 2009
Fourth of July Parade, Ocean Grove, NJ - July 4, 2009

Paramus 4th of July Celebration - Annual Parade, Paramus, NJ - July 4, 2009
Paramus 4th of July Celebration - Block Party and Fireworks, Paramus, NJ - July 5, 2009
STARTING WITH THURSDAY, JULY 2NDAn evening of music with the Paramus community OrchestraDirector- Judy Wilkes"An American Tradition"Patriotic and Pop selectionsCome to the Bandshell at the Library at 7:30 P.M. at 116 Century Road.
SATURDAY, JULY 4thJuly 4th Parade - This year's theme is "Paramus, families, business bringing our community together". The Parade kicks off at 9:00 A.M. from Century RD. and Farview Avenue, north to Midland Avenue and right turn onto Midland Avenue to Memorial School. A July 4th Ceremony will be held at the grandstand after the parade. Mayor Jim Tedesco will give awards to winners of:- Mr. and Miss 4th of July- Best Float
SUNDAY, JULY 5THBlock Party - At the Sports Complex right next to Westfield Shopping Center in Paramus.5:00 P.M. to DuskA wide variety of food booths, drinks, snacks, free rides for the kids, entertainment & more! Bring the whole family! There will be music at 7:00 P.M. followed by our great fireworks display!
July 4th Parade and Fireworks, Pitman, NJ - July 4, 2009






Other New Jersey Celebrations
Randolph New Jersey Freedom Festival: Thursday, July 2, Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, 2009
Randolph holds one of New Jersey’s biggest celebrations of the 4th. The festivities go on for three whole days. This year they begin on Thursday and continues through Saturday with the grand finale being the fireworks on Saturday night. [Randolph-Morris County-North Jersey]
Thursday, July 2:
Freedom Fair is a carnival that features rides, games, crafts and food. Visitors can ride all the rides as many times as they want for $20.00. The fair is open from 7:00 to 11:00 PM.
Friday, July 3:
Parade Day,The parade starts at Dover-Chester Road and Randolph Avenue at the Mt. Fern Church and ends at the County College of Morris [CCM]. The parade includes bands, pipe and drum cores, floats, local dignitaries, antique cars and riders on horseback.
Freedom Fair is a carnival that features rides, games, crafts and food. The carnival and fair is open from 2:00 to 11:00 PM.
Saturday, July 4:
Freedom Fair is a carnival that features rides, games, crafts and food. The carnival and fair is open from 2:00 to 11:00 PM. This is the last day of the fair.
The Freedom Festival Fireworks Display begins at 9:45 and the promoters call it the best show in Morris County [and it does have quite a few competitors for that title] The event features paid parking which helps defer the cost of the fireworks. Parking is plentiful and inexpensive. The cost is $5.00 per car and the first 500 visitors will receive an eco-friendly shopping bag. [limit 1 per car] The rain date for the Randolph fireworks display is Sunday, July 5, 2009.

Long Branch: Oceanfest, Saturday, July 4, 2009
This annual Fourth of July tradition is a free, family oriented festival, which attracts both local residents and visitors from throughout the region. The event takes place along a half mile stretch of the oceanfront promenade between Seven Presidents Park and the Ocean Place Resort and Spa. Activities will include master sand sculpting exhibits on the beach, strolling entertainers, live music of every imaginable type, food vendors, craft vendors and lots of activities for children. The fun-filled daytime activities offer a great prelude to a spectacular fireworks display.

NJSO IN THE PARKS — FREE CONCERTS!
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAJEFFREY GROGAN conductor
Soloists from OPERA NEW JERSEY

Pack a picnic, gather friends and family, and enjoy the NJSO's annual summer outdoor concert series! You'll hear selections from West Side Story, Carmen, Don Giovanni and The Mikado, patriotic favorites including the "Armed Forces Salute" and "America the Beautiful," and much, much more. Fun for all ages!

FREE!
Brookdale Park, Montclair/Bloomfield
Thursday, July 2 at 7:30 pm
Fireworks provided by Essex County
Fireworks!

FREE!
Branch Brook Park, Newark
Tuesday, July 7 at 7:30 pm
Fireworks provided by Essex County
Fireworks!

FREE!
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel (reservations required)
Monday, July 27 at 8 pm
For this performance only, please send a note with the number of tickets you are requesting and a self-addressed, stamped envelope (#10) to:
Garden State Arts Foundation
Attention: July 27, 2009 NJSO concert
P.O. Box 5013
Woodbridge, NJ 07095-5013


BRIDGEWATER -- Families from across Somerset County will celebrate the Fourth of July at Somerset County's biggest party, the 39th annual Independence Day Family Festival. The festival begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at North Branch Park on Milltown Road. There is no charge to attend.

The Leadership Somerset Class of 2008 will partner with the Food Bank Network of Somerset County at the Family Festival to collect food donations. Families are asked to bring canned goods for donation to help supplement the Food Bank inventory that is historically low in the summer months.The events of the day will begin at 5 p.m. and will include a variety of performers, historical reenactments celebrating the birth of the nation, a reenactment of a Revolutionary War encampment by the Third New Jersey Regiment Revolutionary


New York
July 4, Sat. New York City NY USA "Macy's 4th of July" Fireworks.
Hudson River between 24th and 50th Streets, 9p. ("Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks® pyrotechnic splendor returns to the Hudson River for the first time since 2000 to celebrate America’s birthday with the nation’s largest 4th of July fireworks display.
On Saturday, July 4, at 9:00 PM, Macy’s will create a showstopper like no other to honor the country’s independence and to kick off the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson. The patriotic revelry will feature approximately 40,000 shells exploding in a kaleidoscope of color at a rate of more than 1,500 per minute.
The 26-minute display, designed in collaboration with SOUSA Fireworks, will be set off from six barges positioned between 24th and 50th Streets on the Hudson River giving New York City residents a stunning front row seat to America’s biggest Independence Day party.
“The Hudson River is where Macy's 4th of July Fireworks was born," says Robin Hall, executive producer, Macy's Fireworks, "and we're excited to return this year to be part of New York City's larger celebration of the 400th Anniversary of Henry Hudson's voyage of discovery aboard the Dutch vessel, The Half Moon.”

Saturday, July 4th, 2009, Ringwood Manor, Ringwood State Park
10am-1pm Tours of Ringwood Manor available to the public (no charge)
1pm-4pm Market/Town Green Atmosphere-Suttlers/craftspeople/displays/demonstrations1pm
Event Opens- Welcome & Greeting 2:15pm Militia Muster & Public Debate between Rebels & Loyalists
2:30pm Delivery of the Declaration of Independence to the House
3:00pm Flag Ceremony & Salute to New Nation
3:10pm Ringing of the Manor Bell Thirteen Times
3:20pm Blacksmith Demonstrations for the public - Blacksmith shop open to public all day
3:20pm General Activities Resume
A great Family Event! Join us as we celebrate our nation’s 233rd birthday by reenacting a traditional reading of the declaration of independence. Reenactors help to create a lively 18th century town atmosphere. Activities include: Colonial Games, Colonial Crafters, drilling with the Militia, Sign your own Declaration of Independence, Revolutionary War map making, Colonial Dancing, and blacksmith shop demonstrations. Event begins at 1:00pm; Declaration of Independence is Read at 2:30pm. Historic House tours will be available in the morning. Free watermelon for visitors! No cost for event, $5 per car parking fee to enter park. Sponsored by the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society and Ringwood State Park. Participants in this year’s event include: NJ Militia – Heard’s Brigade, The Department of the Geographer to the Army, Friends of Long Pond Ironworks, the 5th NJ Regiment, the 35th Regimental Society, the North River Colonial English Dancers, and various individual reenactors and volunteers.

State Fair Meadowlands at Giants Stadium Fairgrounds will run daily from June 25 - July 12. Kick off this summer with New Jersey's Most Gi-Normous, family-friendly event, featuring plenty of free nightly entertainment with dazzling performers, delicious food, over 150 rides and attractions, bargain ticket nights, live concerts and spectacular fireworks on July 3 & 4.
Enjoy recession-busting bargains for the entire family close to home at State Fair Meadowlands. Parking is only $3! Log on to njfair.com for information, discounts and live concert line-up.

New York Macy's Fireworks Display on the Hudson
Before becoming an annual tradition beginning in 1976, Macy’s Fireworks debuted in 1958 on the Hudson River and previously held a special event marking the 350th Anniversary of the voyage of Henry Hudson with a spectacular show in 1959. A half-century later, Macy’s Fireworks are returning to the Hudson to continue to celebrate the eternally fascinating story that culminates with the founding of New Amsterdam and to kick off the City’s NYC400 summer celebrations, which culminate on September 13th with Harbor Day. “The people of the Netherlands are extremely pleased to see the commemorative return of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks to the Hudson River in honor of Henry Hudson’s discovery and New York City’s 400th birthday,” said RenĂ©e Jones-Bos, the Dutch Ambassador in the USA. “It is a symbol of a long-standing friendship between two strongly tied nations, which share the open-mindedness of those Dutch-American pioneers. We are two countries, but one spirit, united by values, history and a vision of the future.” The nation's largest and most incredible birthday bash lights up the night sky with over 120,000 bursts of color, light and breathtaking pyrotechnics from around the world! 12 million television viewers and 2 million live spectators watch in amazement as our stirring fireworks burst 1,000 feet in the air to the riveting soundtrack!") 212-695-4400/494-4495

RideYourBike: Rides for the Whole Family

Looking for a place to ride with the Family this weekend then checkout the following post from rideyourbike.us
RideYourBike: Rides for the Whole Family

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Family Summer of Fun Weekend Planner

The weather forecast for this weekend on the East Coast is finally predicting some long awaited sunshine and warm weather. So it is time to go outside and play. In this weeks planner we highlight some great playgrounds, but first there are some special events going on at a few of New Jersey's State Parks.

Monmouth Battlefield State Park is hosting the 231st Commemoration of the Battle of Monmouth on Saturday, June 27, 2009; 10 am to 5 pm and
Sunday, June 28, 2009; 10 am to 3 pm

One of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place in the fields and forests that now make up Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The park preserves a splendid rural 18th-century landscape of hilly farmland and hedgerows that encompasses miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas, a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse and a visitors center.
Click Here for the full event schedule


Waterloo Village Season of Canal Society Activities
Some of the features of the 14th Annual Canal Day include:
mule-towed boat rides, live period music, food, guided tours of the village by an architectural historian and of Morris Canal-related sites and the Canal Museum,
a blacksmith plying his trade, a 19th century canal boat captain telling tales of life on the canal,
exhibits on the Morris Canal Greenway and the Sussex Mine Railroad,
tours of the Waterloo United Methodist Church, celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Hackensack River Greenway Through Teaneck
Sunday, June 28, 10:00 a.m. to noon, The Windsor Park Trail. Walk the Windsor Trail with Wayne Thoen, hiker and naturalist. This walk goes from Fire Station on Windsor Road, just south of West Englewood Avenue to the parking lot of the former Perfume Factory. We will make arrangements for a return drive back to your car. It is a rarely walked trail that few people in Teaneck know. Be prepared for a long hike, fabulous sights, and a lot of fun. You can park on West Englewood Avenue.
Click here for a map of the Greenway
For more information email: info@teaneckgreenway.org


Playgrounds in area that are extra special:
This week we will highlight some local playgrounds that have something extra to offer, from a wet and cool sprayground to a Kayak ride along the Hudson River.

Ridgewood Duck Pond - On East Ridgewood Avenue. The park has two large playgrounds, paved bike trails, a large pond, a stream with bridge crossings and a small waterfall.
Afterwards take a ride into Ridgewood there are shops and places to eat including a Ben and Jerry's to stop for Ice cream.

Lyndhurst PlaygroundLyndhurst Town Park: 367 Valley Brook Avenue
This playground has a great sprayground fenced in for the younger kids. There is also a traditional playground with both toddler and 5+ swings and Jungle gym. Diagonally across the street there is a Pizza Place and a dollar store.





Van Suan Park -
216 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ‎ - (201) 634-1104‎
This Park is great! It has an amazing expansive playground, Merry-go-round, Pony rides, Train rides, Zoo, fishing, bike paths, and more Van Suan is truly a shinning star among the parks in Bergen County.


Ross Dock Park Area, Fort Lee, NJ
This is at the first Boat Basin on the southern park entrance (Henry Hudson Drive) will be on the left part way down the hill (river road). Follow Henry Hudson Drive about one mile to the Ross Dock circle and follow signs.
During the Summer months there is usually a fee to park. ($5) The playground here is really great though with a Small and Large version of the same Jungle gym. Lots of slides and things to climb. Picnic area and rest rooms as well.

Peirmont NY
A trip up scenic 9W and through Tallman State Park will land you in Peirmont a quaint town with a playground that was updated this year and has see-saws a Jungle Gym with a few slides a merry-go-round and a few other attractions. Next door to the Playground is Paradise Canoe and Kayak Where you can rent a Canoe or 2 person Kayak and paddle through the salt water marsh and even out onto the Hudson river near the Tappan Zee Bridge You can see some pictures from a post I did last year after our outing. The town of Peirmont has many places to eat and window shop and Sunday they host a Farmers Market

So this weekend get out and have some fun :)

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Make This Summer the Best Ever

Family Fun for the Summer Summer is here and although the weather has not been cooperating so far, We here at kidzense have been busy compiling a stack of Summer fun for you and your family.
We will be bringing back the weekend planner and over the next 8 weeks we will prove you with ideas and activities for making this your best summer ever.



Here is a summary of some areas we will cover in more depth.

  • In-town: Holiday celebrations, Street fairs and parades
  • Local attractions: Be a tourist in your own backyard - Day Trips to landmarks and hot spots in NY, NJ, PA, and CT
  • Get Outside: Parks, Playgrounds, Rails-to-trails, hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating.
  • Stay Inside: Just because the sun is hiding doesn't mean you need to hide in
  • There are a number of Museums, Indoor amusement parks, and activities to share inside.
  • Reach for the Stars: NJ and NY has a number of Planetariums. Enjoy Movies under the Stars
  • Sail Away: Make like Gilligan and take a 3 hour tour on the Hudson
  • Get Crafty: We will provide regular crafts and activities.
  • Acting out: Check out a play or musical here in NJ or on Broadway
  • Shore thing: For many Tri-staters summer means heading to the beach we will review popular beach destinations from Montauk to Manasquan and more.

Of course we will pass along deals as they come along like this one from HeBuddy.com
(get a free t-shirt when you read 10 books to your child)

Previous weekend planners


"What do I want to take home from my summer vacation? Time. The wonderful luxury of being at rest. The days when you shut down the mental machinery that keeps life on track and let life simply wander. The days when you stop planning,
analyzing, thinking and just are. Summer is my period of grace."
-- Ellen Goodman

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Goodbye Grandpa


My grandfather passed away this past week the last of my grandparents to pass on. He was 94 and lived a long life. An immigrant from Portugal he came to the United States. He later fought in WWII as an American Solider. Although he never really spoke about the war I knew he was a cook but wasn't sure if he saw any actual combat. During one of my last visits with him I had asked him about his time in the service - He stormed Normandy on D-day. He raised 7 children 2 girls and 5 boys with his wife Irene who preceded his passing by almost 6 years.

They originally lived in Newark NJ later moving to Kearney where he purchased two homes. During their retirement years they moved to Florida. They were joined later by some of my uncles and their families. I think this gave my grandparents much joy having their grandchildren around. Grandpa loved to fish and was happiest by the ocean. He would go fishing whenever time allowed.
As a child he took my Uncle Dennis, Brother Steve, and myself fishing many times.
I learned how to cast and drag a net we would come home with Fish and Crabs and have cookouts on many Sundays.
There was a real sense of family almost everyone lived in the same town and we had frequent get togethers. As kids we could walk or bike to any family members house.

Grandpa as most of the men in my family was the cook he renovated the basement in his Kearney house to have a downstairs kitchen where he would prepare most meals and would always offer you something when you visited. Holiday dinners were prepared in the main Kitchen So that when you arrived the smell of food filled the house.
There was a grown-up and Kids table. My Aunt Elaine would come in after she was done to check on us. If we didn't finish everything she would clear off our plates and report back that we were finished. (Onto desert)

My grandfathers passing marks the end of an era of European immigrants who came over to the US to live out the American dream and were able to maintain a sense of family and old world values. He taught me how to fish, that money didn't grow on trees, and about hard work. He was somewhat stoic but if you made him laugh it was a genuine hearty laugh that would put a smile on your face.


Grandpa we will miss you.


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