Montclair's 65th annual Independence Day Parade promises a host of spectacular performances and live entertainment on Saturday, July 4. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. along a 1.6 mile route traveling west on Bloomfield Avenue to Midland Avenue, continuing to Watchung Avenue, west to Valley Road and ending at Edgemont Park, where the July 4th Family Picnic will be held.
The Montclair July 4th Fireworks display will take place at Yogi Berra Stadium on Montclair State University campus. The stadium admission fee is $3 per person or $10 for a family, free for kids ages 5 and under. Gates open at 7:00 p.m. Free parking will be available at the Carparc Diem deck, adjacent to Floyd Hall Arena and at the Red Hawk parking deck. Overflow vehicles will be directed to other parking areas. (Please note: concessions will be available; no outside food, water or other drinks may be brought into the stadium.)
The Township’s 2015 Independence Day celebrations are made possible with the tireless efforts of the Montclair Celebrates Committee and the generosity of the local community.
PARADE HIGHLIGHTS
Joining us again this year will be the Fralinger String Band of Philadelphia Mummers fame whose 2015 theme is "The Machine" -- years in the future, man and machine are now one. The mechanical men of the Fralinger Machine spark the revolution to restore our humanity with an energetic and explosive arrangement and a transforming performance. Don't miss this colorful and fun performace!
Wayne Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps – the world class Wayne Raiders are 16-time Drum Corps International Championship finalists, dedicated to bringing life changing summers to the youth of New Jersey. The Raiders are in their 24th season and Montclair is pleased to have them join us once again for our Independence Day celebrations.
Caporales San Simon - This Bolivian dance group was first formed in November of 1978 in the city of Cochabamba. Historically the Caporales were foremen of the black slaves of the Bolivian hot zones of the Yungas in La Paz, Bolivia. The group made its first appearance in the Carnival of Oruro.
Caporales dance is based on the rhythms of the saya, a form of Bolivian processional dance, but has been transformed with the addition of different kinds of foreign musical elements. The dancers wear clothing decorated with lots of color and sequins, reminiscent of the conquistadors.
St. Columcille United Gaelic Band - The band draws its name from an Irish prince, warrior and scholar who became a priest to bring early Christianity to the Western Isles of Ireland and Scotland. St. Columcille remains a lasting symbol of the unity of the early Celtic peoples, particularly the Scots and the Irish. This award winning organization, whose stated mission is to "forward the music of the Gael," have performed at Montclair's Fourth of July parade for many years.
Local favorites will also be in the 2015 line-up such as the Montclair Community Band, community groups and organizations will have floats and marchers, fire engines, antique cars, and much, much more in store, including everyone's favorite, Peter Guiffra, a.k.a. Elvis.
GRAND MARSHAL 2015
2015 Grand Marshal Celia Triggs HonohanCelia Triggs Honohan has a deep connection to Montclair. She was born and raised on Midland Avenue. She was baptized at St. Cassian’s Church and received her First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Sacrament of Marriage at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. She attended kindergarten at Edgemont School and grammar and high school at Immaculate, where her mother worked as a school nurse and five of her eight siblings attended. She holds a BA in Business from Marymount Manhattan College and an MA in Educational Theatre from the Steinhardt School of Education at NYU.
Last summer, upon hearing the news of the closing of her beloved Alma Mater, Mrs. Honohan joined students, parents, teachers, alumni and others to raise the $500,000 needed to keep the doors of Immaculate open.
FAMILY PICNIC
After the parade join us for the township family picnic from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Edgemont Park.
- Barbeque by Church Street Catering
- Music by Victoria Skie and Cinya Khan
- Joe Fischer magician
- pony rides
- face painting, spin art, sand art
FIREWORKS
Where: Yogi Berra Stadium, home of the New Jersey Jackals, on MSU campus.
Time: Gates open 7:00 p.m.
Fee: $3 per person or $10 for family admission to the stadium; kids 5 and under free.
Button sales for the fireworks are available at the following locations:
- Montclair Recreation, 205 Claremont Ave., Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Investors Bank, 536 Bloomfield Ave.
- Kings Supermarket, 650 Valley Rd.
- Keils Pharmacy, 732 Valley Rd.
- Grove Pharmacy, 123 Grove St.
- Yogi Berra Stadium the night of the event starting at 7:00 p.m.
RAIN CANCELLATION INFORMATION:
In the event of rain, the parade will go on, the picnic in Edgemont Park and fireworks at Yogi Berra Stadium will be canceled.
Rain cancellation/postponement announcements will be posted on the Montclair Township website and on TV34. A rain information phone number will be available: 973-509-4914; alerts will be sent out to Montclair Events and Township Services (METS) alert system subscribers (mets.montclairnjusa.org/Subscribe.aspx).
For more information, visit www.montclairnjusa.org/july4th or contact Montclair Recreation & Cultural Affairs at 973-509-4915.
