Seven Hundred Will March in Paramus Fourth of July Parade

This Thursday Paramus will celebrate the Fourth of July with its biggest parade in years. 

Seven hundred are expected to march and 100 cars will be in the procession for this year’s parade which bears the theme “Jersey Strong,” said Councilman Pat Verile, who serves as liaison to the planning committee. 

This year also has seen a big increase in its fundraising for the event which will be the largest in 5 years, said Verile. Top sponsors this year are Westfield Garden State Plaza, Fairway Market, Paramus Park, The Outlets of Bergen Town Center, DCH Paramus Honda, and IKEA of Paramus.

“As a past member and now Liason, I know that this committee, accomplishes so much that the public does not see,” said the councilman. At least 400 hours of planning has gone into this event since December with frequent meetings with department heads and vendors. 

He credits the top of the helm of the planning committee -Ace Antonio, Committee Chairman, Michelle Limbacher, Committee Vice Chairwoman and Ann Marie Franson - Parade Chairwoman. “Without them we volunteers would not know where to begin,” said Verile. 

“Our parade theme this year is "Jersey Strong" and we are honoring three Grand Marshalls. Connie Wagner, not just the Assemblywoman but the hard working and very dedicated Paramus resident, the Paramus Teachers of the Year, and the Paramus Food Pantry all of which make New Jersey and Paramus a stronger community,” said Verile. 

One of the biggest priorities the committee set out to do was encourage veterans in the borough to come out and take part in the parade. Verile said they have been spreading the word through the community bulletin board and other ways to get veterans to sign-up to march through the newly established Veterans Affairs Office. 

The parade begins at 9 a.m. heading south down Farview Avenue ending at Memorial School where there will be a brief ceremony where Mayor Richard LaBarbiera will the Mr. and Mrs. Fourth of July awards.

 The festivities do not end there as Paramus will host its fireworks display on Sunday, July 7 at Westfield Garden State Plaza, which is the top sponsor for this year’s show.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Cliff Gennarelli Sports Complex next to Westfield Garden State Plaza. It’s free admission to the public and there will be many performances including The Choomnoori Korean Traditional Dance School, The Paramus Community Orchestra, The Paramus Players, and an FMA Family Martial Arts demonstration.