Barbecues, pool parties and celebrations of all types will be on tap for many this Fourth of July. To add to that excitement, many area municipalities have planned events to celebrate Independence Day — whether that involves live music and rides or a beautiful display of exploding lights in the sky.
The following is a list of Fourth of July events in the region:
East Brunswick
The township of East Brunswick will celebrate Independence Day at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds on Cranbury Road on July 4. The fairgrounds will open at 5:30 p.m. with food vendors and kids’ activities, as well as a DJ. At 7 p.m. the cover band SHORE-2-PLEAZE will perform live on stage. The fireworks will take place at dusk. The rain date is July 5.
Milltown
The Milltown Fourth of July Committee will host a parade at 10 a.m. July 4, beginning at Van Liew Avenue and progressing to Main Street, Lincoln Avenue, JFK Boulevard and ending on Violet Terrace and the borough park. A moment of silence will take place during the parade at 10:30 a.m. Following the parade, rides and refreshments will be held at the borough park and performances from the Party People, Mr. Ray and Enzo Lizard Guys will take place. The Fabulous Greaseband will perform at 7 p.m. and fireworks will immediately follow. The rain date is July 5.
Monroe and Jamesburg
The Monroe Township Recreation Department and the Jamesburg Civic Association will throw a Fourth of July celebration on July 4 at Thompson Park. At 5 p.m., musical entertainment, food and other activities will begin in the park with fireworks to follow after dark, around 8 p.m. Rain date will be July 5.
Sayreville
The Sayreville Recreation Department will host a Fourth of July celebration on July 3 at Kennedy Park off Washington Road. Beginning at 5 p.m. police, fire and first aid squad vehicles will be on display, and around 6 p.m. the Rock Daddies will perform. Fireworks are scheduled to take place at dusk. The rain date will be July 5. On July 4, the recreation department will hold a horseshoe tournament at the horseshoe pits located behind Borough Hall on Main Street.
South River
The South River Parks and Recreation Commission will hold Fourth of July festivities on July 3 at Denny Stadium off David Street. At 6:30 p.m. the South River High School girls sports teams will begin selling refreshments and the Imperial Music Center Orchestra will begin playing at 8 p.m. Fireworks will begin after dark. The rain date is July 5.
In another July Fourth celebration, the Road to Monmouth campaign will honor the 225th anniversary of George Washington’s visit to the Raritan River communities of Piscataway and New Brunswick. Beginning at 11 a.m., Colonial troops will perform a living history demonstration, to be followed by a one-mile walk from Piscataway, across the Landing Lane Bridge into Buccleuch Park, New Brunswick, at 2:30 p.m.
A musket volley will be re-created by troops at 3 p.m. in front of the Buccleuch Mansion, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, the Metlar-Bodine House Museum in Piscataway will be open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and a Colonial Punch Party will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the museum.
The day will end with fireworks at Boyd Park, New Brunswick, and at Piscataway High School.

