Fourth of July Week on the Island
Get ready for a fun-filled, star-spangled week as the Boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor celebrate the Fourth of July. From June 30 to July 4, experience the exciting events that these towns have planned with your family and friends.
Julie and Ryan Weathers and their children Ella, Cam, and Sam at Avalon’s Independence Day Celebration.
AVALON
Kick off the festivities at the annual family field races on Sunday, June 30. Beginning at 10am, activities will take place on the 10th Street athletic fields. The next day, July 1, kids can enjoy an educational escape at the Avalon Free Public Library when ScienceTellers present “Alien: Escape from Earth!” at 10am. Head over to the brand-new Surfside Park (30th Street and the beach) that night for the first Surfside Live of the summer at 6:30pm.
Tuesday offers residents and visitors alike a free concert featuring the patriotic sounds of the 63rd Army Band, starting at 7pm at Surfside Park. After the concert, Avalon will show its weekly summer beach movie; the July 2 movie is “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.”
On Wednesday, July 3, the Borough of Avalon will host their parade featuring the whimsical sounds of the Mummers. The parade begins at 6pm at Avalon Community Hall and proceeds north on Dune Drive toward Veterans Plaza. A Mummers performance will follow at Veterans Plaza.
All these events lead up to the spectacular lineup of events on Thursday, July 4. Wave your flags and get a good spot along the bay for the annual Boat Parade, starting at 11:30am at the Avalon Yacht Club. Anyone wanting to participate must be in the lineup at the Yacht Club no later than 11:15am. No preregistration is necessary. Afterward, head to the beach at 1pm to enjoy a live acoustic performance by local singer Andrew Jude from the 30th Street beach pavilion. Later, after you’ve enjoyed your cookouts, stop by the 30th Street parking lot at 6pm with the kids to enjoy several activities such as face painters, bounce houses and more.
The world-class Bay Atlantic Symphony will perform patriotic selections from major musical composers and conductors such as John Philip Sousa, Leroy Anderson and Kimo Williams during its annual concert at the Avalon Community Hall. No tickets are needed to attend the symphony concert; the seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Fourth of July ends with the largest fire-works show in South Jersey. Grab a seat in the sand and get ready for the spectacular show that begins at 8:45pm.
STONE HARBOR
The week of fun begins on Sunday, June 30, with the weekly Stone Harbor Farmers Market. Bring the entire family as you visit award-winning businesses and browse and enjoy the fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, coffee, juices, and so much more. The Farmers Market runs from 8am to 12:30pm at the 95th Street Water Tower Plaza.
On Monday, July 1, the kids will enjoy storytelling, animal adventures and magic shows at Stone Harbor Family Fun Night. The weekly event is held at the Stone Harbor Firehouse from 7-7:45pm.
The Fourth of July brings a day full of family fun and patriotic pleasures at the Stone Harbor Recreation Fields featuring the Phillies Home Run Derby, and the first-ever Women’s Civic Club Fourth of July Food Fest.
Registration for the Phillies Home Run Derby, Sand Sculpting Contest, and Decorated Bike Contest opens at 9am. The opening ceremonies start at 10am at the 80th Street Recreation Field followed by the candy scramble (for ages 6 and under), then the foot races (ages 7 and up), followed by the slow bike races and ending with the decorated bike contest.
Those participating in the Sand Sculpting Contest can begin at 9am and the Phillies Home Run Derby will begin at 10:30am. The Women’s Civic Club Fourth of July Food Fest begins at noon and ends at 9pm from the parking lot at 96th Street and the beach. Bring your family and friends out to enjoy food from local vendors.
Prizes will be awarded to the best decorated and most patriotic. Artists of all ages will head to the beach at 9am to get started on their masterpieces for the Sand Sculpting Contest. Judging for different age groups will begin at 11:30am. On the softball and baseball fields, boys and girls ages 7-12 will show off their hitting skills for a chance to win prizes during the Phillies Home Run Derby at 10:30am. Age groups will be categorized as 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12. Registration is required for the Sand Sculpture Contest, Phillies Home Run Derby, and the Decorated Bike contest and will take place from 9-10am at the 82nd Street pavilion.
The day ends with the magnificent fireworks show and Independence Day Celebration including a jazz performance by Eddie Morgan and the Rebirth at 7:30pm from the 95th Street beach pavilion. Then grab a seat at any beach and get ready for the return of the colorful fireworks display.
Visit shnj.org or stoneharborrecreation.com for more information.