HUNTERDON COUNTY: 300th birthday parade is Saturday

Responders, bands, tractors will represent South County

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
   Towns from southern Hunterdon County will be well represented in the county’s Tricentennial Parade this Saturday.
   ”We’ll have more than 1,000 marchers in the parade,” said Chris Phelan of the Tricentennial Committee. “All are welcome to participate.”
   The Tricentennial Committee has been busy for months organizing the parade and dozens of other events for 2014 to celebrate Hunterdon County’s 300th birthday.
   The parade will kick off at 4 p.m. on Flemington’s historic Main Street.
   ”After the parade, we’ll have cake and hot chocolate for 2,000 people in the Court Street park, behind the (old) county courthouse,” Mr. Phelan said. “Shop-Rite of Hunterdon County will be providing the refreshments.”
   When darkness falls, there will be a fireworks display.
   The New Hope Lambertville Ambulance and Rescue Squad will be in the parade, Mr. Phelps said. “Rescue squads, fire companies and police departments from all over the county will be participating,” he said.
   Among the units from this area that will march Saturday are the Amwell Valley Fire Department, Amwell Valley Rescue Squad and the Sergeantsville Fire Department.
   The Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead, in Delaware Township, will have a float in the parade.
   ”They’ll be driving some of their antique tractors in the parade as well,” Mr. Phelan said.
   ”Franklin Township also will have a float in the parade. There will be re-enactment groups in the parade, Boy Scouts from Ringoes and Kingwood, and Girl Scouts from Kingwood.”
   The South Hunterdon Regional High School marching band will be there, as will the bands from North Hunterdon, Hunterdon Central and Del Val high schools.