Fourth of July Events
Veteran Joe Reese with Avalon Councilwoman Barbara Juzaitis and Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi, will be the special guest conductor for a portion of the July 4th Bay Atlantic Symphony concert.
Avalon
Get ready to celebrate with Avalon for the Fourth of July with great events happening throughout the weekend. Kick off the week early with the first Thursdays at Surfside on June 30. Surfside Park will be jamming to the tunes of Jimmy and the Parrots from 7-9pm, and there will be a beer and wine garden hosted by the Avalon Chamber of Commerce.
Friday fun continues with Fridays Nights at Surfside from 6:30-8:30pm featuring “Minion Mayhem,” with characters, music, trivia, and fun for the kids.
Saturday hosts the return of the 63rd Army Band at Surfside Park from 6:30-8pm, and will feature a mix of patriotic and contemporary music. And Sunday features the popular Avalon Boat Parade along the back bays of Avalon beginning at 11am, at the Avalon Yacht Club. No registration is necessary to participate.
Monday features the return of the popular Bay Atlantic Symphony. The concert, led by music director Jed Gaylin, will be held at Avalon Community Hall starting at 7pm featuring patriotic classics such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” as well as selections from George Gershwin, John Philip Sousa, “West Side Story,” Scott Joplin, and Elmer Bernstein’s “The Magnificent Seven.” This year, the concert will feature a special guest conductor, World War II veteran Martin “Joe” Reese, for “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Fireworks will be held after the concert, and this show can’t be missed. With the largest fireworks display in South Jersey, Avalon continues to wow viewers every year! The display, which is choreographed to music, can be seen from any Avalon beach and is scheduled to begin around 8:45pm. Be sure to tune to WCZT 98.7-FM to listen to a simulcast of the music for the display wherever you are.
Stone Harbor
Make sure to stock up for your July 4th barbecue with a quick trip to Sunday’s Farmers Market, held at the 95th Street Parking Lot from 8am-12:30pm. Grab fresh produce, flowers, desserts, seafood, and more for the perfect summer celebration!
The annual Fourth of July races and contests are returning this summer with a few fun additions! Registration begins at 9am in the 82nd Street Recreation Pavilion, and the opening ceremonies start at 10am on the 80th Street Recreation Field. The sand sculpting contest for ages 2-and-up starts at 9am, with judging at 11:30am. Foot races for ages 7 and up will start around 10:15am (with added upper age divisions for 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+). The Phillies Home Run Derby for boys and girls ages 7-and-up begins at 10:30am. Slow bike races for ages 7-and-up are scheduled to start around 10:45am (with added upper age divisions for 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+). Finally, the ever-popular decorated bike contest concludes this celebration for kids up to 18, as they decorate their bikes, tricycles, wagons, strollers, wheelchairs and power wheels. Judging will take place in the parking lot next to the softball field at 11:30am, followed by the parade at 11:45am. Contestants will walk south on Second Avenue to 83rd Street, east on 83rd to First Avenue, and back to the field for the presentation of awards. Awards will be given for six categories including “Most Patriotic.” After all that slow-bike riding, you’ll need some snacks! Grab pizza, refreshments and sweet treats from local vendors set up with food available for purchase all morning.
And it wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without fireworks, sponsored by the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company. Fireworks will be set off on a barge by the beach at 96th Street. The colorful display starts at dusk (around 9:15pm) and can be seen from any beachfront.
