Thousands brave the heat for Milltown celebration

By tara petersen
Staff Writer

By tara petersen
Staff Writer


STEVEN M. BARON Members of East Brunswick Cub Scout Pack 61 were among the many local organizations marching in the annual Fourth of July Parade in Milltown Friday.STEVEN M. BARON Members of East Brunswick Cub Scout Pack 61 were among the many local organizations marching in the annual Fourth of July Parade in Milltown Friday.

Beginning in the morning and lasting until well after dark, Milltown’s annual Fourth of July celebration brought thousands of people to downtown Milltown Friday.

"Every year no matter what’s going on, we have to come here," said Nicole Carlton, a lifelong Milltown resident.

Officials estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 people visited the borough.

"We doubled the population of Milltown," said Russ Einebeinder, a member of the Fourth of July committee.


STEVEN M. BARON A juggler on stilts marches in the parade.STEVEN M. BARON A juggler on stilts marches in the parade.

Daniela Gartner now lives in Franklin Park but returns each year to celebrate with family.

"It’s a tradition. Everybody comes," she said. "It’s where you see people you haven’t seen all year."

The activities began with the annual parade along Main Street at 10 a.m. Carnival games, concessions and rides followed in the borough’s park.

Then, just after everything was cleaned up, the evening entertainment began. The Fabulous Greaseband performed for the crowd in a set that was followed by thunderous umbrellas of sparkling light — the annual fireworks display. However, the start of the fireworks display was delayed until after 10 p.m., causing some of those in attendance to leave and others to become impatient. One organizer said the delay related to the fact that the company hired to conduct the display had arrived at the park more than two hours late.


STEVEN M. BARON The Fralinger String Band, Philadelphia, marches.STEVEN M. BARON The Fralinger String Band, Philadelphia, marches.

The morning parade along Main Street included veterans, firefighters and rescue squad members from communities such as Old Bridge, Red Bank, Perth Amboy, and, of course, Milltown. The New Jersey National Guard was met with applause as members drove by in camouflaged Humvees. Crowds five rows deep in places cheered as they were entertained by bagpipers and drummers in traditional Scottish kilts. Children clamored for candy thrown from the vehicles.

But this year, ‘Mummers’ was the word. Mummers band from Philadelphia, the Fralinger String Band, grabbed the attention of onlookers with their flamboyant hot pink, bright blue and gold sequined-covered garb complete with jester-like hats with feathers. The band was organized in 1915 and the costumed entertainers welcome in the New Year each year in Philadelphia.

The parade also included an appearance by Miss New Jersey, USA and Miss Teen New Jersey.

Parade Committee Chairwoman Diane Surace estimated that 40 to 50 organizations took part in the parade this year, which is her sixth and final year as chairwoman. She said there were 43 sponsors this year, and that the committee raised slightly more than the $38,000 needed to pay for the festivities.


KAREN L. KESTEN The Fourth of July events started early Friday morning with the annual 5K race hosted by the Milltown Knights of Columbus.KAREN L. KESTEN The Fourth of July events started early Friday morning with the annual 5K race hosted by the Milltown Knights of Columbus.

Surace said Milltown Masonic Lodge No. 294 deserved special thanks because it donated radios to allow for communication among volunteers, and also served complimentary drinks throughout the day.

"If it weren’t for the volunteers, we’d never be able to pull the day off," Surace said.

Randy Farkas will take over for Surace as next year’s chairman. He said the committee cooked 4,000 free hot dogs courtesy of Dietz & Watson.

"The real story of all this is the volunteers," Farkas said. The committee also does its own fund-raising through the sale of T-shirts, mugs, Christmas ornaments and through events such as an annual car wash.


DAWNMARIE SANNWALDT Former resident Lance Cpl. Justin Visokay, on leave from the war in Iraq, marches in the parade.DAWNMARIE SANNWALDT Former resident Lance Cpl. Justin Visokay, on leave from the war in Iraq, marches in the parade.

Committee member Doug Steiner was in charge of making sure the rides were working. He said he was really pleased with the company used this year, Amazing Amusements and Entertainment Inc., of Marlboro.

"Last year we used another company, and three of the rides weren’t working," Steiner said.

Rides this year included many inflatable selections such as a Moonwalk, a Wild Splash slip and slide, and a Wild Rapids slide.

"In this heat, the water rides are no doubt the most popular," Steiner said.


STEVEN M. BARON Noah Wolack, 4, of South River enjoys a pony ride on Dusty following the parade in Milltown.STEVEN M. BARON Noah Wolack, 4, of South River enjoys a pony ride on Dusty following the parade in Milltown.

The event also offered pony rides by Happy Trails Ponies and face painting. Wristbands cost $12 each and were good for unlimited rides.

The Fabulous Greaseband kicked off the evening celebration with Van Morrison’s "Brown-Eyed Girl." According to longtime member Harry Pasquito, the band plays full time and generally sticks to "rock ’n’ roll, pop and nostalgia."

He said the band was asked to play in Milltown after someone saw them play at the Fourth of July celebration in neighboring South Brunswick Township last year. He said the band, which now comprises eight members, was formed in 1973 by high school classmates.

"We do a lot of community events," Pasquito said.

Aside from the delayed start, the fireworks were a hit with the crowd. The skyward explosions began at a moderate pace and ended in a grand finale that consisted of multiple launchings in rapid succession.