City Promises Independence Day Celebration with Historical Roots

New Brunswick's Independence Day celebration aims to offer outdoor music and entertainment as well as a number of historical programs to recognize the 237th birthday of the U.S.

Hosted by the City of New Brunswick, State Theatre and New Brunswick Public Sculpture, the city has the majority of its celebrations planned for July 7, beginning with a 5 p.m. screening of the movie musical "1776" at State Theatre's big screen. 

The New Brunswick Historical Society will hold a discussion of the movie immediately afterward, and will give away a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence.

The screening is free and open to the public, and the first 100 guests will receive a free booklet of the U.S. Constitution, according to the release. 

At 8 p.m., a number of New Brunswick children will read the Declaration of Independence at nearby Monument Square Park, located at the corner of George Street and Livingston Avenue. 

Following the reading, the New Brunswick Elks Color Guard, the John Basilone Detachment #190, Milltown VFW Post #2319, Knights of Columbus and Catholic War Veterans will march to Boyd Park, ending with a reading of an Independence Day proclamation made by George Washington, followed by a singing of the National Anthem, and the discharge of cannons and a rifle salute, according to the release. 

At the same time, Doug Aumack, Asstant Curator at the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission will be at New Brunswick Boat Landing in Boyd Park, for an 8 p.m. program discussing the role of the Raritan River during the Revolutionary War. 

Also at 8 p.m.,  Lamb’s Artillery Co. and re-enactment group will be in Boyd Park presenting a program on cannon use during the war. 

If you're down in Boyd Park at that time, you can also catch a 7:30 p.m. concert featuring the band "Wall Street," 

Fireworks will begin at 9:20 p.m. at Boyd Park, presented by the New Brunswick Recreation Department, Prologis, Johnson & Johnson and New Brunswick City Market, according to the release.

Free parking will be available in the Rutgers Public Safety Deck, located off Neilson Street, according to Mike Blackwell, Recreation Director for the city.

A limited number of public parking spaces and handicapped parking are also available in Boyd Park.

On the other side of the Raritan River, Highland Park will hold their Independence Day celebration at the same time, with live music, presentations, demonstrations and food vendors, beginning at 3 p.m. and culminating with the fireworks display. 

For a list of Highland Park's activities, click here. 

Are you going to the celebration? Show us your photos by uploading them through Instagram and tagging them #fireworksnj. 

Click here for more information.