I’m going to admit it. Montclair has a great 4th of July parade, but Maplewood throws an all-day 4th of July celebration that is not to be missed.

My family enjoyed the festivities last year, after my husband ran the annual 5k. We had a great time and met the nicest people. This year promises to even better, with a cool Wave the Flag, interactive family art project.

 

Here’s the schedule of the day’s festivities:

  • 7:45 am: assemble  in Ricalton Square for 8 am Opening Ceremonies.
  • 8:15 am: Everything Push, Pedal or Pull parade: red, white & blue decorated bikes, toddlers, skaters. Neighborhood groups
    and organizations invited to create original theme entries.
  • 9 to 9:40 am: Fourth of July 5K Run starts and finishes on Oakview Avenue near Skate House. Races at the athletic field opposite Town Hall.
  • 10 am: Wave The Flag VFW & 1978 kid’s art project. Downhill from Maplewood Station.
  • 11 am: Ice Cream Eating Contests presented by Maplewood Rotary. Picnic area next to playground (Maplewood residents K-12 & Adults).
  • 11:30 am: Baking Contest (all ages Maplewood residents. Entries must be at Town Hall between 9 and 9:30 am)
  • 12 pm: Pet Show, Main Library (all types, all sizes; Maplewood residents) presented by Jersey Animal Coalition.
  • 12 pm – 3 pm: Adult Softball at athletic field opposite Town Hall.
  • 12 pm: Kids’ Percussion Forest by Jamie Ross at downhill from RR station.
  • 1 pm, 3:30 pm and 6 pm: Zerbini Family Circus under the big top, rain or shine. First come first served — No reserved seats, seating
    limited, line up early!
  • 4 pm: Live music until fireworks: local young and adult bands, on lawn opposite town hall. Ice cream on sale; hotdogs etc. and soda sold
    by Boy Scout Troop 5.
  • 9 pm: Fireworks! Come early, times approximate.

3 replies on “Maplewood 4th of July Celebration: A Full Day Of Patriotic Fun”

  1. Maplewood does rock July 4. It feels like something out of the Andy Griffith show. We will miss most of it this year but might be home in time to catch the fireworks, which SO no longer has 🙁

  2. ‘Ya, I grew up in Maplewood &went every year. Years ago they also had a car show and a dog show. For some reason they deleted those two.
    90% is for kids and my kid is 28, now. SOooo, we just go to the Fireworks!

    Oh, yes, years ago they also had a community sing, before the high wire act.

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