For years, I created a guide to fireworks in my local area. That continues today. It is a lot of work but it draws a lot of traffic. Here is a feature that was written a few years back for Long Beach Island and Ocean County, New Jersey. Please note, the contact information and the dates shown in this story are not up to date.
Ocean County has more July 4th celebrations than any county in the state. I’ve updated all of the information, and I think I got everything right. If you see, I missed it or have something to add, please leave me a comment below.
Barnegat Light July 4th Concert, Awards Ceremony & Parade, Sunday, July 1, 2012:
The Barnegat Light Fourth of July Parade will take place on Sunday, July 1, 2012. It will begin at 6:30 pm, starting at 16th Street. There will be an awards ceremony and a concert to follow at the bay dock area between 9th & 10th Street. The show will feature the Liberty Band. The concert will be in the Firehouse Social Hall on 10th and Central Boulevard in case of rain. If you need more information, you can call 609-494-9196
More information about Barnegat Light activities here.
Barnegat Township Concert & Fireworks, Wednesday, July 4, 2012:
Barnegat Township will hold its Independence Day Concert and Fireworks on Wednesday, July 4, at the Municipal Dock on East Bay Avenue. The celebration and the concert will begin at 7:30 pm, and the Fireworks will start at dusk.
More information about Barnegat Township happenings here.
Beach Haven Fireworks over the Bay, 2012 Fireworks info not available yet:
Beach Haven will stage their fireworks display over Tuckerton Bay on Monday, July 4, 2011, at around 9:00 pm. The fireworks start at Taylor Avenue and the Bay. The rain date for the fireworks is Tuesday, July 5, 2011. On July 4, the community Concert on the Green will feature jazz music by Howard Isaacson at Veterans Bicentennial Park, located at Engleside and Beach Avenues.
More information about Beach Haven here.
Beachwood, Toms River & River Towns, Wednesday, July 4, 2012:
Beachwood is famous for its fireworks displays in South Jersey. This year they will be staging their extravaganza on July 4, 2012, at 8:00 pm at the Bayside Avenue beachfront. Their fireworks are seen for miles all along the river and the bay. For further information contact 732-286-6000, ext. 200
More information on Beachwood here.
Berkeley Concert & Fireworks, Wednesday, June 27, 2012:
Berkeley celebrates differently, as their big event falls a little before or after the main holiday. On Wednesday, June 27, at 6:00 pm, there’s a concert featuring Big Shot, a Billy Joel Tribute Band, and fireworks after the show.
Find out more about Berkeley and its celebration here.
Brick Township Summerfest & Fireworks, Thursday, July 5, 2012:
Brick will celebrate Summerfest on Thursday, June 30, 2011, with a concert by Separate Ways, The Ultimate Journey Show, at 7:00 pm. The fireworks extravaganza follows at 9:00 pm at Windward Beach Park.
Get more information on the Brick here.
Harvey Cedars Craft Day by the Bay, Saturday, July 7, 2012:
Harvey Cedars opens their 22nd annual craft show on July 7 at Sunset Park on West Salem Avenue on LBI. The show runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free. This year there will be food available from the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad.
Get more information on Harvey Cedars here.
Lakehurst Independence Day Car Show, Parade & Fireworks, Monday, July 4, 2011:
Lakehurst’s fireworks were on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. There will also be a full day of activities in town. The top-rated car show will start at 9:00 am and run till 3:00 pm. There will be a patriotic parade at 11:00 am, and the fireworks will take place at dusk. You can get more info from the borough office @ 732-657-4141.
Get more information on Lakehurst here.
Lakewood Fireworks Extravaganza, Sunday, July 3, 2011: 2012 Fireworks Information not available yet
Lakewood will hold its fireworks display on Sunday, July 3, 2011, at Lake Carasaljo. The fireworks will start at about 9:15 pm. You can view the fireworks from almost any place along the edge of the lake on North and South Lake Drive.
Get more information on Lakewood here.
Lavallette July 4th Concert & Fireworks, Sunday, July 1, 2012:
Lavalette will hold their annual concert and fireworks on Sunday, July 1, at the Centennial Gardens & Gazebo at Bay Boulevard and Philadelphia Avenue. The concert starts at 7:00 pm, and the fireworks go off at dusk (about 9:00 pm).
For more information on Lavallette, go here.
Manchester Township Independence Day Celebration, Saturday, June 30, 2012:
Manchester will hold its annual Independence Day concert on Saturday, June 30, 2012, beginning at 5:00 pm with Townsquare Media (WOBM). Free shuttle service will be available from the Municipal parking lot, Bowker Field parking lot, and senior villages (main clubhouse). Please call 657-8121, ext. 5102 or 5101 for bus schedule information.
Get more information on Manchester and their celebration here.
Pine Beach Independence Day Parade: Date Unknown:
The Pine Beach parade information is not published yet on the town website. There is a notice that they require help getting things organized for the day.
Get more information on Pine Beach here.
Plumsted Township Rockin’ Fireworks Concert, Saturday, June 30, 2012:
Plumstead Township and the New Egypt Elks Lodge will present their 12th annual Rockin’ Fireworks Concert at the New Egypt Athletic Fields at 121 Evergreen Road. The celebration begins at 2:00 in the afternoon, and the fireworks go off at dusk. This event features professional entertainment, artists, and creative people from near and far and food, beverages, games, and other attractions in an open country setting. There will be multiple bands playing all day, carnival rides, crafts, and food vendors. For more information, you can call Al Hutchins at 609-758-3005. One of the events that I attended last year is one of my favorites. There are acres and acres of open land around the athletic fields. There’s lots of room for the kids to play and lots for the family to do.
For more information, see the Elks Lodge site here.
Point Pleasant Beach Fireworks, 2012 Fireworks information not available yet:
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant ?? will present ?? fireworks display on the beach at dusk to celebrate Independence Day.
For more information, see Jenskinson’s website.
Seaside Heights July 4 Fireworks, Wednesday, July 4, 2012:
Seaside Heights will stage its fireworks on the oceanfront and boardwalk at 9:30 am. There are fireworks scheduled almost every Wednesday night from June 27 to August 29.
For more information, see the Seaside Heights site.
Tuckerton Borough 4th of July Parade & Fireworks, Wednesday, July 4, 2012:
The Borough of Tuckerton will present their annual 4th of July Parade at 10:00 am, starting at the Village Shops. There will be activities all day long at the Seaport and fireworks at Tip Seaman Park at dusk. Last year there was a Baby Parade, but I do not know if they are continuing that from last year. Tuckerton Seaport will host the Red, Wine, and Blues Festival on Saturday, June 30, from 3 to 8 pm. This year is the 10th year for the festival. Billed as the perfect afternoon of wine tasting from New Jersey’s finest wineries plus live blues music, it also features crafters, vendors, food, boat rides, a traditional pie bake-off contest, and more. With your ticket purchase, you get a complimentary souvenir Seaport wine glass.