As July 4 Approaches, See When Fireworks And Festivals Are Scheduled Near Wayne

WAYNE, NJ — With July 4 coming up, we know many families in Wayne and around North Jersey are keeping an eye out for local fireworks shows and community celebrations.

The Wayne PAL will host their annual fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day, with Johnny Zeppoli providing concessions and inflatable rides to entertain the kids before the big show. And, there are a few other Passaic County communities that have events scheduled (as of this posting on Friday, June 21).

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in Wayne Township and the surrounding areas. Click on the links for more information and any pricing info.

July 4 Festivities For 2024

Wayne

• What: Independence Day Fireworks presented by Wayne PAL.
• Where: Wayne Hills High School, 272 Berdan Ave, Wayne, NJ, 07470
• When: Wednesday, July 3 beginning at 6 p.m.

Bloomingdale

• What: Annual Fireworks Show and celebration, with food and rides.
• Where: Walter T. Bergen School, 225 Glenwild Avenue, Bloomingdale, NJ, 07403
• When: Saturday, June 29 beginning at 6 p.m.

Clifton

• What: Clifton Independence Day Celebration, with a family festival and pre-firework entertainment.
• Where: Clifton Stadium, 350 Piaget Ave, Clifton, NJ, 07011
• When: Saturday, July 6 beginning at 4 p.m.

Paterson

• What: Fireworks and Food Truck Festival, also including live music.
• Where: Great Falls National Historical Park, 72 McBride Avenue, Paterson, NJ, 07501
• When: Sunday, June 30 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On July 4, Americans celebrate the birth of a new nation with fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings and barbecues. Celebrations, though, predate by centuries the designation of Independence Day as a federal holiday, which didn’t happen until 1941.

During the pivotal summer of 1776, the pre-Revolutionary celebrations honoring King George III’s birthday were replaced with mock funerals as a symbolic break from the crown.

It was an exciting time in Philadelphia — the Continental Congress voted to break from the crown and, two days later on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies —New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia — to adopt the Declaration of Independence.

The first annual commemoration of the nation’s independence was in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, while the Revolutionary War was ongoing. Fireworks have been part of Fourth of July festivities since the first celebration in Philadelphia.