Morristown Preps for Fireworks, Declaration Reading

Sparklers, BBQ, Red, White and Blue. Fourth of July is right around the corner and Morristown is sponsoring the town's July 4th Fireworks this year. 

The fireworks is just one part of Morristown's Revolutionary Times, a day full of activities on Thursday, July 4. "This family-friendly event supports the “liberty” theme in advance of New Jersey’s 2014 celebration of its 350th Anniversary and is dedicated to raising awareness of the role that the Morristown area played in the Revolutionary War," according to the Morris County Tourism Department. 

The day begins at noon on Morristown Green with the following activities:

• Reading of the Declaration of Independence
• 80th Anniversary of MNHP (Morristown National Historical Park)—A few remarks will be made
• To follow will be music, family-fun crafts, games and activities and a performance by the Morris Music Men Barbershop Quartet. The National Anthem will be sung by local Morristown resident, 12-year-old Audra Stowers. 

Later, the event will move to Sunrise Lake at Lewis Morris Park for the 7 p.m. fireworks. At the park, there will also be:

• Musical Entertainment—performances by the Fifes and Drums Corps of the Old Barracks and the Solid Brass Ensemble, with fireworks at nightfall. The National Anthem will be performed by the award-winning “Whistling Entertainer of the Year,” local resident Joe Sodano.
• Picnicking

“Fourth of July is coming upon us. If you don’t have plans for the Fourth of July, … bring the kids. It’ll be fun,” said Mayor Tim Dougherty. 

The MNHP is the first designated national historic park, which opened to the public on July 4, 1933.

All events are free to the public. Parking is free all day in downtown Morristown garages and at Lewis Morris County Park. Shuttles will be available to Sunrise Lake Beach from distant Lewis Morris parking lots. The county tourism department advises the public to bring a flashlight to the fireworks. 

The daytime activities and the evening fireworks will be held weather permitting. For more information, call 973 631 5151. 

The partners for this event include: the Washington Association of New Jersey, North Jersey American Revolution Round Table, Daughters of the American Revolution/Schuyler-Hamilton House, Crossroads of the American Revolution Heritage Association, The Town of Morristown, Morris County Park Commission, Morristown National Historical Park, Morris Arts, Swiss Chalet Bakery, Morris County Tourism Bureau and the New Jersey Star-Ledger as media sponsor.

Can't wait that long? Head over to Morris Plains. Their fireworks is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, rain date June 30, at community park—51 Jim Fear Drive. 

Family Day begins at 5 p.m.; fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. For more information, call 973 538 3455