Fourth of July Fireworks and Parades in Morris and Somerset County, NJ

In addition to the "Broadway Comes to Brookside" Parade in Mendham Township, NJ, and the Fourth of July Fireworks event at North Branch Park in Bridgewater, NJ, there are Independence Day celebrations going on all over the Morris County and Somerset County areas. Here are just a few highlights I found in the Recorder Community Newspapers "Out and About" section:

• Bridgewater Township: Friday, July 4, 2008. 5pm - 11pm. North Branch Park. Family festival with a tropical theme, live musical entertainment by "Verdict" and "Smooth." Fireworks at 9:30pm.
• Chatham Borough: Friday, July 4, 2008, 10:30am. 53rd annual parade, Main Street and Hillside Avenue, ending at Chatham Middle School, 480 Main Street. Fireworks at 9:00pm at the Middle School field.
• Chester Township: Saturday, July 5, 2008, 11am to 4pm, pack a picnic blanket and visit Cooper Gristmill (Route 513) and enjoy a free slice of watermelon to go with your picnic lunch, then tour the mill to see the 6-ton water wheel power the millstones that grind grain into flour. For more information call (908) 879-5463.
• Denville Township: Thursday, July 3, 2008, Gardner Field, Savage Road. Flea market and Joey Bella Beefsteak Dinner. Friday, July 4, 2008, 6:30pm, Gardner Field, Savage Road. Military band entertainment followed by fireworks at nightfall.
• Dover: Thursday, July 3, 2008, 6:00pm. Hamilton Field concert followed by fireworks. Admission is $2 in advance, $3 at the gate. No alcohol permitted, coolers are subject to police search. Rain date Saturday, July 5, 2008.
• East Hanover: Friday, July 4, 2008, 4pm to 9pm, Lurker Park on Ridgedale Avenue. Carnival games and food (burgers, hot dogs, soda, ice cream, popcorn), pony rides, live music with "Circle Time Live" and Jimmy Sturr. Fireworks at 9:30pm.
• Florham Park: Friday, July 4, 2008. 9:00am flag raising ceremony; 9:30am parade from the firehouse on Brooklake Road, immediately followed by family picnic at municipal complex, 111 Ridgedale Avenue. Games, food, a beer garden, live entertainment. 9:00pm Fireworks display, Emmett Park. In case of rain, fireworks will be rescheduled for 9:00pm on Saturda, July 5th.
• Hanover Township: Wednesday, July 2, 2008. 8:00pm: Gallagher's Diamond Dance Band will perform 70s, 80s and 90s hits at Whippany Park High School, Whippany Road. Face painting, games, and special guests, members of the New York/New Jersey Revolution professional arena football team. 9:00pm: 3-D Fireworks. Rain date Thursday, July 3rd. For more information and weather updates, call (973) 887-7870.
• Lebanon Borough: Friday, July 4, 2008. 9:30am: Baby & Bike Parade, Sutton Place (across from police headquarters). 10:00am: Main Parade. Festivities immediately following parade at Holjes-Sheppard Park with flag raising, refreshments, games, presentation of awards. Call Mark or Rhonda Paradis (908) 236-9221 for more information.
• Mendham Township: Friday, July 4, 2008, 9:00am. "Broadway Comes to Brookside" parade down Main Street in Brookside.
• Morristown: Friday, July 4, 2008, 2:00pm. Washington's Headquarters Museum, museum rededication and public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Sunday, July 6, 2008, 1:30pm, The Green. Free concert by "Solid Brass." More information, call (973) 539-2016 ext. 210.
• Morris Township: Friday, July 4, 2008. Noon to 3pm, Fosterfield's Living Historical Farm will host "Hurrah for Independence Day" where visitors can bring a picnic lunch, try some old fashioned games of a century ago, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the farm. Call (973) 326-7645 for details.
• Mountain Lakes: Friday, July 4, 2008, 9:00pm. Fireworks over Mountain Lake.
• Mount Olive Township: Friday, July 4, 2008. 10:30am: 39th annual Hillery Drive Parade through Clover Hill development in Flanders with mini floats, antique cars, decorated bicycles, pets. For information, call Ken Taylor (201) 230-6291.
• Randolph Township: Saturday, July 5, 2008, 9:45pm. Fireworks at County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Road. $5 donation to park.
• Rockaway Borough: Saturday, July 12, 2008, 9:00pm (? Roxy advises visitors to check time, seems like a late start?). Borough fire department will host annual festival at Fireman's Field on Beach Street, with the department's famous clam chowder, vendor booths, and carnival rides, followed by fireworks.
• Washington Township: Saturday, July 5, 2008, 5pm to 11pm. Carnival at Long Valley Middle School, 51 West Mill Road. Food court, beer garden, rides, live music and fireworks at nightfall.

If any of you Roxiticus Desperate Housewives out there attend these events, we hope you'll come back here and share a comment with the rest of us. Have a happy and safe Fourth of July!