Off with a Blast

Central New Jersey and Bucks County, Pa., offer a feast of fireworks and other activities to celebrate the Fourth of July.

By: Aleen Crispino and Megan Sullivan

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TIMEOFF/MARK CZAJKOWSKI

   Spirit of Princeton will host its annual Fourth of July fireworks show June 30 at Clark Field, the Princeton University athletic field next to Princeton Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. for picnicking; no alcoholic beverages permitted. There is free parking in the Jadwin Gymnasium lots. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:15 p.m. On the Web: www.spiritofprinceton.org.
More Independence Day weekend events:
NEW JERSEY EVENTS:

  •    Freedom Fest, Mercer County’s Fireworks Celebration, will be held at Mercer County Park in West Windsor July 2 from 3 p.m. to nightfall. This event, held for the first time in cooperation with classic rock radio station 97.5 FM The Hawk, features Journey-tribute band Evolution, and 2U, billed as "the world’s second-best U2 show." The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will perform a "Salute to Hollywood" at 7:30 p.m. This free concert will be followed by a fireworks display at 9:15 p.m. Food court, beer and wine, crafts, children’s slide and obstacle course. Park entrances are on Old Trenton Road and on Hughes Drive. On the Web: www.mercercounty.org/parks.
  •    Waterloo Village, a restored 19th-century Morris Canal port town located at exit 25 off Route 80 in Stanhope, will hold an Americana Celebration July 2-4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Barbecue and beer will be available, along with old time games, pony and horse-drawn wagon rides, candle-making demonstrations and an 1870s flag-making craft. The event is free with park admission ($9, $8 seniors, $7 children). Call (973) 347-0900. On the Web: www.waterloovillage.org.
  •    The Platters are the featured performers at the outdoor Rockin’ Fireworks Concert presented July 2 from 5 to 10 p.m. by Plumsted Township Council for the Arts at New Egypt High School, Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Also performing will be singer-songwriter John Cantamessa and country bluegrass band Past Times. Free. Refreshments available. Rain date July 3 without The Platters. Call (609) 758-2241, ext. 144. E-mail: [email protected].
  •    Rhythm and Blues Concert and Fireworks on the Delaware will feature Ruben Studdard and Stephanie Mills July 2, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. On the Web: www.americasbirthday.com.
  •    Historic Village at Allaire in Allaire State Park, Route 524, Wall, will celebrate Independence Day 1836-style July 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be militia drills, patriotic orations, the reading of the Declaration of Independence and period music, as well as 19th-century games. The celebration is free. Admission to historic buildings is $5; $2 ages 6 to 12. Parking is $5. Call (732) 919-3500. On the Web: www.allairevillage.org.
  •    Six Flags Great Adventure on Route 537 in Jackson will celebrate Fourth of July weekend with concerts by pop singer and pianist Vanessa Carlton, July 3 at 7 p.m., and Beach Boys’ Al Jardine and the Endless Summer Band, July 4, 7 p.m. There will be fireworks on the evenings of July 2-4. Entertainment is free with park admission. Call (609) 928-2000. On the Web: www.sixflags.com.
  •    The Copper Penny Players will host a Fourth of July Sing-Along July 3, 8 p.m., at York Street Park, between Union and Main streets in Lambertville. Singers are invited to bring a candle or flashlight, lawn chair and snacks. Song sheets will be provided. Call (609) 397-8700.
  •    Princeton Battlefield State Park will be the site of an Independence Day celebration July 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Revolutionary War period soldiers will conduct demonstrations and there will be tours of the Thomas Clarke House and the Arms of the Revolution exhibit, as well as period games for children. There will be a talk on the Battle of Princeton and at 1 p.m. a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Picnicking and hiking are encouraged; barbecues and alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Princeton Battlefield is at 500 Mercer Road (Princeton Pike), Princeton. Call (609) 921-0074.
  •    The Nerds will perform a free outdoor concert July 4, 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:05 p.m., at South Brunswick High School, Ridge Road and Stouts Lane, Monmouth Junction. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnics; alcohol is prohibited. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the gym and fireworks will take place July 5, 9 p.m. Call (732) 329-4000, ext. 7671 weekdays, and ext. 7686 after 5 p.m. on day of program. On the Web: www.sbtnj.net.



PENNSYLVANIA EVENTS:

  •    Philadelphia Freedom Concert, featuring Elton John, Patti LaBelle and Bryan Adams, will take place at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, July 4, 8:30 p.m., fireworks to follow at 10:30 p.m. Earlier in the day, the Parkway Festival, featuring music, food and games, will take place from 2-6 p.m. on the Parkway between 21st Street and Eakins Oval. That will be followed by the Fourth of July Parade, beginning 6:30 p.m. at 20th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, ending at the Art Museum steps.
  •    Riverside Symphonia’s annual "Concert Under the Stars" will take place July 2 at Tinicum Park, Erwinna. The 60-member orchestra will play musical selections from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, John Williams’ "Cowboy Overture," a "Salute to Big Bands," patriotic favorites and Tchaikovsky’s "1812 Overture." Gates open at 6 p.m. for a pre-concert picnic, concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $18, $10 children; $15/$8 advance. For information, call (215) 862-3300. On the Web: www.riversidesymphonia.org
  •    Peter Nero and the Philly Pops will take the stage at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, July 3, 8 p.m., to perform a free concert in honor of the nation’s birthday and to celebrate the first-time lighting of this historic building. On the Web: www.americasbirthday.com.
  •    Southampton Days 2005, a country fair held at Tamanend Park from July 4-9, will feature crafts, children’s games, amusement rides, car show, cow-chip bingo, coin toss, refreshments and free evening concerts. Located at Second Street Pike, Southampton, Pa., the fun will take place from 6:30-11 p.m. each night. Free admission, fee for amusement rides; $1 parking. July 4: Grand parade, 9:30 a.m.; concert and fireworks 7:30 p.m., Klinger Middle School; free buses to fireworks. Admission for concert/fireworks: $5, $1 under age 12. For information, call (215) 355-1714. On the Web: www.southamptondays.com.
  •    The Tri-Municipal July 4th Parade will start at 9:30 a.m. July 4 at the Town Center, Route 202, New Britain, Pa., following Route 202 to 152 North and ending at North Branch Park, 207 Park Ave., in New Britain.
  •    Newtown First Fourth will be celebrated July 9 at various locations in Newtown, Pa. Events include a parade and fireworks. For information, call (215) 968-2800. On the Web: www.newtownfirstfourth.com.
  •    The Philadelphia Phillies will host Independence Blue Cross Fireworks shows July 1 and July 8, 7:05 p.m., at Citizens Bank Park, 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia. On the Web: www.phillies.com.
  •       Washington Crossing Historic Park on Routes 32 and 532 in Washington Crossing, Pa., will celebrate Independence Day July 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities include a noon-time reading of the Declaration of Independence outside historic McKonkey Ferry Inn, open-hearth cooking, children’s activities, printing press demonstrations, artillery firing, and mustering of the troops. Admission costs $6; $3 ages 6-17; price includes all activities, visitor center orientation film and a tour of the Thompson Neely House. Call (215) 493-4076.
  •    The Fonthill Museum in Doylestown, Pa., will host an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration July 4, noon to 5 p.m. An early-20th-century celebration will be re-created, with a decorated bike parade, pony rides, a town ball game (19th-century baseball), a watermelon-eating contest, free old-time games and live music. Food available or bid on a picnic basket. Admission costs $3 adults; $2 Bucks County Historical Society members; $1 ages 6-17, and under 6 free. Call (215) 348-9461. On the Web: www.mercermuseum.org.