Who doesn’t love the Fourth of July?!  There’s the national pride, the family fun, the summer memories . . . . It’ s a fabulous time to be an American!  And there’s plenty of ways to celebrate the Fourth right here in Cranford.

There’s the well-renowned Firecracker Four Mile Race and One Mile Fun Run, which begins at 9:00 AM.  You can register online for the Firecracker Run at http://www.cranfordjaycees.com/ .  This will be the 35th annual Investors Bank and Cranford Jaycees Firecracker Four Mile Run, which has become hugely popular and very well attended by runners from all surrounding areas.  The course is an attractive, pleasant, flat,  USATF Certified course, with mile splits and multiple water stops. After the race, everyone can enjoy refreshments, music, popcorn, balloons, and face painting. Raffles will be held and prizes awarded during the post-race festivities. It really is fun for the entire family!

Running not your thing?  Can you canoe?  (Love that tongue-twister!) You’ll have to be a little earlier for that one, as it begins at 8:00 AM at the Cranford Canoe Club, at 250 Springfield  Avenue.  Prizes are awarded in several categories.

If running and canoeing don’t excite you, how about one of these activities in Nomahegan Park?

At 1:30, prizes will be awarded for the bicycle decorating contest.

At 2:00 there will be an egg-tossing competition.

At 2:30 there will be a backwards race. (That one is always fun to watch!)

And at sundown, the whole family can enjoy the fireworks display.  (Raindate for fireworks only is Sunday, July 5^th.)

Food vendors will be available the entire day.

It’s all about family fun an community pride, and Cranford’s Fourth of July celebration has plenty of it!  Come on out and join your neighbors in a birthday party for our nation like no other!