Freedom Festival Among Events Set for Camden County This Summer

Blood Sweat & Tears will highlight the return of the Camden County Freedom Festival to the Camden Waterfront on the Fourth of July, county officials announced on Wednesday.

The annual holiday celebration features concerts and a tribute to the veterans. It runs from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m., and concludes with a fireworks display over the Delaware River.

The Camden County Freeholder Board also announced the release of the 2015 Park Events Guide for the summer and fall seasons in the Camden County Park System.

This roadmap will help families and seniors to navigate all of the county’s offerings this year. Many of the events are free.

“We’ve planned a wide variety of programs and activities for people of all ages,” Camden County Freeholder Deputy Director Ed McDonnell, liaison to the Camden County Department of Special Events, said. “Whatever your interest – music, movies, sports or family entertainment – there’s something for everyone in the Camden County’s Parks.”

The online version of the guide is available at www.camdencounty.com.

This year’s events include:

• Morgan James at the Sunset Jazz Series in Wiggins Waterfront Park;
• Paula Cole at Haddon Lake Park’s Sundown Music Series;
• Blood Sweat & Tears at the Freedom Festival followed by fireworks;
• Opera in the Park in Collingswood;
• the Hegeman String Band in Gloucester City;
• the XPoNential Music Festival, a three-day festival from July 24-26, with Grace Potter, Indigo Girls and The Wailers;
• Kidzfest in Lindenwold Park; and
• Paddington at The Starlight Movie Series.

There will also be sporting events, workshops, walks to support some great causes and a bass fishing contest at Cooper River Park. There are also bike and hiking trails, nature trails and “Bark in the Park” at the dog park in Timber Creek Park.

At Challenge Grove Park, Jake’s Place is a playground where children of all abilities can play together and Boundless Field hosts Miracle League Baseball games.

“We expect over 150,000 visitors to the Camden Waterfront this summer for events ranging from great entertainment like the Fourth of July Fireworks and Sunset Jazz Series to activities such as waterfront yoga and workout Wednesdays,” McDonnell said. “My colleagues on the Freeholder Board and I know how much residents enjoy the outdoors, and we strive to continually improve Camden County’s parks so that they provide maximum entertainment and fun for you and your family.”

The green space of the Camden County Parks System offers over 2,000 acres of natural settings for picnics, family gatherings, sporting events, beautiful waterways for fishing and boating, a wealth of playgrounds and a variety of ball fields that are close to home.

Camden County’s parks have facilities that can be reserved, including baseball fields, volleyball courts and picnic groves by calling 856-216-2136.