Final Preparations Set for the Fourth

Fate seems to be smiling on Chatham. It's supposed to be a beautiful day on Saturday, when the borough's Fourth of July parade will be held along Main Street.

Fire department member Jeff Fricke is coordinating the parade, along with the rest of the borough Fire Department, and he said final preparations have been made for the event.

Those preparations have been a long time coming. Fricke said he typically starts planning the parade and other Fourth of July activities in January.

"It's pretty much about six months it takes to get all the ducks in a row," he said.

A state highway permit needs to be secured so the Main Street—which is also State Highway 124—can be closed off for the parade. An alcohol permit is needed for a beer garden at the event, and Fricke also must receive a fireworks permit so a fireworks show can be put on at night. (For that matter, he must also get the OK from the School District of the Chathams to allow the fireworks show to happen at Chatham Middle School.)

The parade earlier in the day begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. on Main Street at Hillside Avenue and proceeds west to Chatham Middle School. The parade's grand marshal is 43-year veteran Don Tracy, who has been captain, lieutenant, secretary and treasurer of the hose company during his tenure.

The 50-unit parade features nine bands, eight fire departments and numerous community organizations. The Psycho 78s Roller Derby Team—a new entry this year—will participate.

Fricke said clowns burn little cardboard houses on Main Street during the parade, much to the delight of those in attendance.

"They set [them] on fire and they put it out and they throw confetti," he said. "It's pretty funny."

The parade won't be held on July 4 itself, since that's a Sunday. Out of respect to the churches in town, Fricke said, organizers decided they wouldn't have the official celebration that day, and they chose July 3 as their designated date.

Prior to the parade, the Whippany VFW will conduct flag-raising ceremonies at 9:15am at Firehouse Plaza. Mayor Nelson Vaughan and Borough Council members will then formally inspect borough firefighters.

The fireworks display behind the middle school on Main Street begins at dark. Early arrivals will hear a variety of music from today and yesterday by The Magic Moments featuring Gina & Pepe.

Gates open at 7 p.m. and the entertainment begins about 7:30pm. Admission is free for borough residents, $3 for other individuals and $5 for other families.

Fricke said donations from borough residents and businesses make the event possible. Organizers secure a good deal of the money through a fund drive.

"That's why we're able to keep having it, because in a lot of towns [the ceremonies] are funded by the town," he said. "And they have to cancel them.

"Businesses are very good here in town," he said.