By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
With the Fourth of July falling on a Friday this year, Bordentown Township is kicking off the long weekend with its annual fishing derby.
The Township Committee is hosting the annual derby at the pond in Northern Community Park on Groveville Road. Registration starts at 9 a.m. with a presentation by the Sportsmen’s Center.
The derby itself will begin at 10 a.m. and go until noon, followed by a trophy-awarding ceremony.
This year, trophies will be given in four categories with all anglers receiving a ticket that will be used to track their fishing totals and enter a raffle for free gifts.
All participants must have their own fishing rods, bait and fishing accessories. Every child under 18 must be accompanied by an adult in order to place in the derby.
Clare Estates, a senior facility on Crosswicks Street in Bordentown City, will be hosting its annual barbecue, complete with door prizes and seasonal eats, on Friday, July 4 from noon until 3 p.m. at 201 Crosswicks St.
Just after the holiday weekend, Florence Township’s annual Patriotic Celebration kicks off on July 11 and will go through Saturday, July 12 well into the evening, ending with a fireworks display.
Florence Township officials have said they are aiming for a more cohesive celebration that keeps neighbors and friends socializing throughout the entire weekend.
The township will host a friendly fun softball game, at 7 p.m. at the Water Works Legion Field, on Sixth Avenue and Broad streets, featuring the Florence Township Fire District versus township employees.
Afterward, residents and community members are invited to take their blankets and lawn chairs to the Susan Muchowski Field (behind the Water Works Legion Field) to view “Shrek the Third” at 9 p.m.
Things really kick into star-spangled mode the next morning, beginning bright and early with a 5K run. Registration is $15 and is at 7:45 a.m. at the Alterra Sterling House at 901 Broad St.
The race will begin promptly at 8:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to walk, jog or run as they take in the township’s sights on the 3.1-mile route.
At 11 a.m., there will be a flag-raising ceremony, at the Veterans Memorial on Ninth and Broad streets. The township encourages all members and veterans of the Armed Forces to join together in recognition of their service to the community, state, and nation.
Anchoring the festivities in the middle of the day is the annual parade, slated to kick off at noon at Hornberger Avenue and Parish Lane in Roebling.
The theme this year is “The spirit and pride of our community,” and former mayor Michael Muchowski will serve as the grand marshal.
The parade route will continue from Hornberger Avenue to Delaware Avenue, and will make its way to East Front Street, then onto Broad Street, and ending at Ninth Street.
A reviewing stand will be set up at Broad and West Third streets, and participants are urged to come with their best patriotic float as judges review and award prizes to best band, best business float, best religious and civic float, and best theme float.
Children can participate in the parade by decking out their bicycle with the best red, white and blue garb and will receive a complimentary ice cream coupon.
All bicycles should assemble at the Koschek & Porter parking lot on Hornberger Avenue, and all participants, ages 5-12 should pre-register at the start location to compete for the first-, second- and third-place prizes.
After the parade, residents are welcome to make their way over to the Water Works Field to attend a mini-carnival, which will feature a children’s Moonbounce, a Double Lane Circus Super Slide, face-painting and sand bottle making.
An antique car show by the Mid-Jersey Antique Car Club will be featured at 2 p.m. at Veterans Field, on Ninth and Broad streets.
Later in the evening, a concert is slated for 7 p.m. at the Water Works Field, which will feature the “Street Corner 5 Singers” and the “Tommy Conwell Band.” There is no admission fee to attend the concert.
Capping off the weekend’s festivities will be a fireworks display, at 9:10 p.m. at the Water Works Field.
All events are rain or shine except for the concert and fireworks, which have a rain date of Sunday, July 13.