2016 Shore guide for July 4th

Updated:

Barnegat Twp July 4th fireworks could start as early as 8:15 p.m. 

Margate has rescheduled its fireworks for July 9.

Ventnor has rescheduled its fireworks for July 9

One of the best places to watch fireworks is along New Jersey’s shore. Up and down the coastline, bombs will be bursting in mid-air while bands strike up patriotic tunes… all in the name of freedom.

But fireworks won’t be the only bright lights at the Jersey Shore this July Fourth. Country music star, Tim McGraw will headline Wildwood’s “Celebrate America” beach concert on Monday.

The nine-hour show is being billed as the largest beachfront music event in the state this summer.

Here is Newsworks’ shore guide to all the fireworks, parades and concerts:

Seaside Heights

Seaside Heights will host its Boardwalk Concert Series, featuring Joey Arminio and The Family’s USO Review on Monday at 7 p.m., immediately followed by a Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:30 p.m.

Lavallette

On Sunday, Lavallette will put on a patriotic concert at the Gazebo at 8 p.m. with fireworks after the performance (rain date July 10).

Long Beach Island

Beach Haven will again host the only fireworks on LBI over at Bay Village, 9th and Bay Ave. on Monday at dusk.

On Saturday evening (7/2/16), 6:30 p.m., catch the Fourth of July Parade at Barnegat Light with decorated floats. The parade sets off behind the Post Office (W. 11th St.) and proceeds down Central Ave. to Broadway and 6th St. and then to the 10th Street Ramp.

Barnegate Twp

Fireworks will be held at the Municipal Dock 427 East Bay Avenue. The Township Police Department said Monday the fireworks could be started as earlier as 8:15 p.m., due to the weather.

 

Atlantic City

Atlantic City’s free 18-minute bombastic pyrotechnic display will take place on July 4 at 9:30 p.m. The show is designed for optimal viewing along the Boardwalk and throughout the Marina.

Ventnor

Ventnor has rescheduled its fireworks for Saturday, July 9, 2016. The location remains the same at the Ventnor City Fishing Pier. The Pier will be open FREE of charge to residents and visitors Beginning at 8 p.m. See latest forecast

Margate

Margate has postponed its fireworks due to the forecast until Saturday, July 9 at 9 p.m. Location remains the same at the Huntingdon Avenue Beach.

The National Weather Service forecast for the Atlantic City region on Monday night calls for a 60 percent chance of rain with thunderstorms possible. It says that locally heavy rainfall is possible Monday night. 

Ocean City

Ocean City will fill the skies above its beach with both kites and rockets red glare. A kite flying competition gets things started on July 4 at 6 p.m., followed by live entertainment and a boardwalk fireworks display to cap off the night at 10 p.m.

Earlier in the day, two bike parades begin the Independence Day activities. At 10 a.m., red, white and blue festooned bicycles will set off from 40th and Asbury Ave. and also from Wesley Ave. by the Ocean City-Longport Bridge.

At noon, the Ocean City Theatre Company’s Spotlight Performers Show Choir will put on a free musical tribute, “Star Spangled Salute”, at Mark Soifer Park (9th and Asbury Ave.).

On Sunday, Broadway star, Nicolas Dromard joins the Ocean City Pops “Celebrate America!” performance at the Music Pier with patriotic favorites, including “America the Beautiful” and “Stars and Stripes Forever”. Tickets range from $10 to $15.

Sea Isle City

Sea Isle will launch fireworks on July 4 at 9 p.m. at its 50th Street Beach (rain date July 5).

An evening concert, featuring The Ed Vezinho/Jim Ward Big Band, will take place at Excursion Park (JFK Blvd. and Pleasure Ave.) at 7 p.m. and ends just prior to the fireworks.

Get in the patriotic spirit early by crooning along to Neil Diamond’s “America” with tribute band, Real Diamond on Saturday evening (8 p.m.). The show is part of the Free Concerts Under the Stars series held in Excursion Park.

Avalon

Boasting the largest fireworks display in South Jersey, Avalon will also be the site of two free concerts, a Mummer’s parade and other family-friendly fun.

The borough’s festivities kick off on June 30, but the highlight is, of course, the fireworks which will launch over Avalon’s 30th Street beach at dusk on Sunday. The display will be set to patriotic music which will be simulcast on local radio station, WCZT (FM 98.7).

Got kids? Avalon’s Department of Recreation will host free kid-centric attractions like bounce houses and face painting at the 30th Street parking lot just prior to the fireworks from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Also on Sunday, the Bay Atlantic Symphony, conducted by Maestro Jay Gaylin, will perform a free concert, “Quest and Delights of Freedom” at 7 p.m. inside Avalon Community Hall. Music selections include compositions from John Philip Sousa, Leroy Anderson and Tchaikovsky. Seating is on a first come basis.

On Monday, scores of boats all decked out in patriotic splendor will parade from the Avalon Point Marina at 11 a.m.

Stone Harbor

Stone Harbor celebrates America’s birthday on Monday with an evening concert (7p.m.), followed by a grand finale fireworks display at the 80th Street Recreation Field.

The party, however, gets started much earlier in the day (9 a.m.) with family-friendly events like a sand sculpting contest, foot and bicycle races, plus a home run derby.

And if the recent wave of Wawa “Hoagie Fest” commercials have you feeling rather groovy, why not check out the real deal at Ocean Galleries?

The galleries’ Stone Harbor location will host “Peter Max Celebrates America the Beautiful”, a five-decade collection of iconic images and new art from the renown graphic designer. The show runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily from July 1 through July 4. Art-lovers can get the chance to met Max at artist receptions on July 2 (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and July 3 (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.).

The Wildwoods

Wildwood’s “Celebrate America” beachfront concert with Tim McGraw begins at 2 p.m. with opening acts, Hunter Hayes, Maggie Rose, and Shot of Southern. The event is rain or shine and tickets start at $25. A free fireworks display will follow at 10 p.m. from Pine Avenue Beach.

If EDM is more your thang, head over to the Wildwoods Convention Center on Saturday night for a Foam ‘n Glow Party with DJs like Brillz, Corbin Kelly, Moosh & Twist, 4B, Rain Man and others. Doors open at 6 p.m. and general admission tickets cost $33.

Other highlights of the weekend-long schedule of events include the annual Independence Day bike and patriotic pooch parade in North Wildwood (9th and Atlantic Aves.) on Monday morning (9 a.m.) and the new Beach Bacon Festival on Friday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.,

Cape May

Cape May will illuminate the skies above Congress Beach on July 4, at 9 p.m., with fireworks launched from an off-shore barge.