Fabulous Fourth of July

Events for the Independence Day weekend.

By: Jillian Kalonick
   Classic American stage and screen will set the tone for the Fourth of July at New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Concert Tour, "Show Stoppers."
   Conductor Robert Billig will lead the orchestra in a program that includes selections from West Side Story, My Fair Lady and Oklahoma!, along with a symphonic portrait of Irving Berlin. Mr. Billig has conducted more than a dozen shows on Broadway, including Chicago, Les Misérables and Singin’ in the Rain.
   Performances will be held at Brookdale Park in Montclair July 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Mercer County Park in West Windsor July 3 at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow both performances. Free admission. Call (800) 255-3476 or visit www.njsymphony.org.
   
More Independence Day weekend events:
   Allentown Presbyterian Church will present Freedom Fest at Allentown High School July 2 from 6 to 11 p.m. and July 3 from 4 to 11 p.m. Amusements of America will provide rides and the festival features games, a petting zoo, pony rides and food. Mr. Ray and the Three Sides Now Band will perform July 2 and Desperate Waters and Mahatma will perform July 3. Fireworks will be held July 3 at dusk. Call (609) 259-2233 or visit www.atownpres.org/fest.
   Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson will present a fireworks extravaganza above the Great Lake July 2, 3 and 4 at 10 p.m. The Charlie Daniels Band will perform July 4 at 7 p.m. Entertainment is free with park admission. Call (732) 928-2000 or visit www.sixflags.com.
   Riverside Symphonia will present a Concert Under the Stars at Tinicum Park, River Road, Erwinna, Pa., July 3 at 8 p.m. Music Director Mariusz Smolij will conduct the 60-member orchestra in a diverse program that includes musical selections from Phantom of the Opera, Rodeo and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Tickets cost $18, $10 children, $15 advance, $8 children. Call (215) 862-3300 or visit www.riversidesymphonia.org.
   A Country Rockin’ Fireworks Concert, featuring Late Nite Rodeo, will be presented by Plumsted Township Council for the Arts at New Egypt High School in New Egypt July 3 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The rain date is July 5. Call (609) 758-2144, ext. 144.
   Mercer County Waterfront Park will host "No Game Night," on July 3 at 7:05 p.m., featuring a broadcast of the Trenton Thunder at the New Britain Rock Cats. The City of Trenton fireworks will follow the game. Admission is $1, to benefit the Grand Slam We Care Foundation. Fireworks will also follow the Trenton Thunder game against the Portland Sea Dogs July 6 at 7:05 p.m. Call (609) 394-8326 or visit www.trentonthunder.com.
   The Mahoney Brothers will perform at Veterans Park in Hamilton July 3 at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks. Call (609) 581-4226. The Mahoney Brothers also will play an outside concert at South Brunswick High School, 750 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, July 4 at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow the performance at 9:05 p.m. Free admission. In case of inclement weather the concert will be held in the gym, and the fireworks will be held July 5 at 9 p.m. Call (732) 329-4000, ext. 671, or day of, ext. 686.
   The Fonthill Museum in Doylestown, Pa., will host an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration July 4 from noon to 5 p.m. Silver Dollar Productions will present "I Hear America Singing," the 104th Pennsylvania Regiment Civil War Reenactment Group will offer a live history demonstration and the Cottage Street Sports Club of Doylestown will demonstrate "town ball," an early form of baseball. Admission is $3, $1 ages 6 to 17, free under age 6. Call (215) 348-9461, ext. 10.
   Johnson Ferry House at Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville, will host a summer foodways demonstration July 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. Food historian Susan Plaisted will demonstrate ice cream making using late-18th-century recipes. Free admission. Call (609) 737-2515.
   The Copper Penny Players will host a Fourth of July Sing-Along at York Street Park, Union and Main streets, Lambertville, July 4 at 8 p.m. Singers are invited to bring a candle or flashlight, lawn chair and snacks. Song sheets will be provided. Call (609) 397-8700.
   An Independence Day Celebration will be held in Boyd Park in New Brunswick July 4. The Rutgers Percussion Ensemble will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. A fireworks display will be held on the banks of the Old Raritan. Call (732) 745-5125.