What would the Fourth of July be without fireworks?  Just another BBQ day.  The fireworks are the coup de grace, the dessert, the grand finale!  Many locals enjoy a trip “down the shore,” or travel to a vacation spot or lakeside to celebrate and watch the night sky light up.  But many more choose to stay home, and celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors locally.  Luckily, there are lots of places in our area to do just that.  And even if you don’t want to make the short trip north to watch the Macy’s display in NYC from Jersey City or Hoboken, or the short trip south to watch at one of the many shore venues, you still have many options very close to home.   Right here in Union County, there are a bunch of  parades,  festivals, races, and, of course, fireworks, to choose from.

Here are some of the firework viewing options in our area, taken from the site http://bestofnj.com/central-jersey-fireworks.  Check them out, don your red, white, and blue, and God bless America!!!!

Union County

Clark: Fireworks

Thursday, July 4, 2013: Clark will stage their fireworks display on the 4th at Arthur L. Johnson Regional High School located at 365 Westfield Avenue. The show begins sometime between 8:30 and 9:00. There will be a Disc Jockey and vendors in front of town hall at 7:30. The rain date is Friday, July 5.

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Cranford: 4th of July Canoe Race, Fireworks & More

Thursday, July 4, 2013: Cranford does the 4th a little differently. The day begins early with a canoe race at 8:00 a.m. at the Cranford Canoe Club. The fun continues with a Firecracker Run at Nomahegan Park at 9:00 a.m. There’s a bike decorating contest at 1:30. The fireworks are scheduled to light up the skies over Nomahegan Park at approximately 9pm!

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Elizabeth: No Fireworks for 2013

Cancelled Elizabeth New Jersey has cancelled their fireworks for 2013 due to damage to the waterfront park during Hurricane Sandy.

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Mountainside: Fireworks

Thursday, July 4, 2013: Mountainside will present a fireworks show sponsored by the Mountainside Borough Council and the Mountainside Fire Company on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at dusk at the fields behind our Lady of Lourdes and Deerfield School. Admission is free and the Police Action League will be serving free ice cream for the kids.

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New Providence: Community Celebration & Fireworks

Wednesday, July 3, 2013: New Providence will host a celebration with more activities than it has ever had before. The events features DJ John Souren of Club Souren, a roving juggler, chalk art for the kids and a fireworks display at 9:15 or 9:30 p.m. The fireworks are sponsored by Investors Bank. The rain date for all events is July 5th.

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Plainfield: Parade, Concert & Fireworks

Parade & Fireworks, Saturday, July 6, 2013: Plainfield will host the 90th Annual Veteran’s Parade on East Front Street. The theme of the parade this year is “A Celebration of Youth”. The fireworks will be staged at Cedar Brook Park at dusk.

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Roselle Park: Fireworks

Saturday, July 6, 2013: Roselle Park will stage a fireworks display on Wednesday, July 4th at Herm Shaw Field at Roselle Park High School. The entrance is on West Colfax. The fireworks should start at 9:15. The fireworks are staged by D&M Fireworks.

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Springfield: Community Celebration, Concert & Fireworks

Thursday, July 4, 2013 Springfield will host a community event to celebrate Independence Day on the 4th starting at 5:00 p.m. with rides, a petting zoo, pony rides and a trackless train for the kids. The event will be held at Meisel Field. At 7:30 there will be a concert featuring 1910 Fruitgum Company and Barbara Harris and the Toys. The event will come to a big finish with a fireworks display at dusk staged by Garden State Fireworks Company of Millington. There will be food and beverages for sale and the town is encouraging families to bring chairs and enjoy a picnic in the park. The fireworks will be staged on the next clear night if it rains on Thursday.

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Summit: 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks

Thursday, July 4, 2013: This annual event consists of day and evening events. The day events begin at 9:45 AM with the Flag Raising Ceremony. The Children’s Bicycle Parade begins at 10:00 AM. Local children decorate their bikes in a patriotic fashion and receive trophies and certificates. Last year’s parade had over 500 participants. Immediately following the Children’s Bicycle Parade, Polka Dot will host a kid’s concert with fun sing -a -longs and dancing. The rides and amusements start at 10:00 AM and will continue through 1:00 PM. Kids can ride the train, jump and slide on inflatable rides and play carnival games for prizes. There will be lots of food, drink and snacks available including Towne Deli and Mom’s Catering. Tickets for the rides, games, food and crafts can be purchased on the day of the event. At 12:00 Noon the Summit Stompers Dixieland All-Stars will entertain on the big stage while the Emergency Softball Game starts at the big field.

The evening’s festivities begin at 7:45 PM with the The Cameos, New Jersey’s Favorite Oldies Group. They will perform their unique renditions of the most popular songs of the 1950′s and 60′s with a little 70′s for good measure. The Grand Fireworks Display, featuring Garden State Fireworks will start at 9:15 PM.

Find out more information about the 4th of July in Summit New Jersey here

Union: Soap Box Derby, Concert & Fireworks

Thursday July 4, 2013: Union Township will celebrate the 4th starting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning with the 6th Annual All American Soapbox Derby. It will be held on Stuyvesant Avenue between Mountain & Taylor. The festivities pick up later at Biertuempfel Park with the Summer Concert Series. The concert will feature the vocal styling of “Emil Stucchio & the Classics”. The fireworks will bring the day to a close at 9:00. Admission is free. The rain date for the fireworks is July 5th.

Get more info here