Celebrate July 4 in Riverton

The little town of Riverton fills up with more Americana than you can shake a flagpole at when July Fourth is celebrated in old-school style. A full day of events typically attracts thousands of people, swelling the size of this small community.

Die-hards start the night before by staking parade chairs to the ground. Early birds lace up their shoes to participate in the 5K Fun Run. By the parade’s 10 a.m. start, a mile-long route through this Victorian town will be crowded with celebrants. Most then converge on the park for old-fashioned games before traipsing to the town’s steepest hill to watch a build-your-own cart race. They’ll also gather at the river for a raft race that involves everything except boating gear.

While other towns fret about the soaring costs of a 20-minute fireworks display, the Riverton 4th of July Committee continues using volunteer manpower, a yard sale fund-raiser, and a handful of local sponsors to pull off yet another year of homespun fun. There are no fireworks … just everything else. For complete details, visit www.Riverton4thOfJuly.com.

It all happens Monday, July 4 for a jam-packed day of patriotism. A committee of volunteers works to organize all events, and businesses and individuals donate to offset costs. The Showcase Sponsor again this year is Stan’s Auto Service.

A 5K race along the Delaware River and shady streets starts the day as more than 400 runners dash off from Sacred Heart Family Center (Fourth Street and Linden Avenue). The race concludes at Riverton Park (Cedar Street between Broad and Eighth streets). The one-mile Run for Fun starts at the same location at 9:30 a.m. and takes participants up the heavily decorated Main Street parade route. Registration for the 5K is $12.50 until July 1, or $20 until 8 a.m. the day of the event. Registration for the Run for Fun is $5. The registration link is available at www.riverton4thofjuly.com.

Riverton’s fabled 119th Children’s Parade rolls from the riverbank down Main Street with Mummers, marching bands, and floats representing local organizations. Start time is 10 a.m. and the entire parade takes about 45 minutes to pass each point. Hometown touches include kids riding their decorated bikes and locals who own fanciful or historical vehicles. Palmyra-based Bread of Life Food Pantry Wagon will collect food as it strolls through town.

A Welcome Ceremony and Games at Riverton Park (Cedar Street between Broad and Eighth streets) offer fun for patriots big and small. Riverton officially salutes the country and its people with an invocation, the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner, and award presentations for Best House Decorations. It will start after the parade wraps up about 11:30 a.m. Old-fashioned games and activities include attempts to climb a greased pole, horse-drawn carriage rides, clowns, and pony and camel rides. A dunk tank sponsored by the Riverton Police Association will be a new highlight at the Park Festivities. This is also the site of a Pet Pageant that aims to recognize every critter brought to the judges.

The 25th Great Joe Zaneski Downhill Race is a highlight of Riverton Fourth of July Festivities. It starts at 2:30 p.m. where steep Elm Terrace meets Park Avenue. Gravity is the only power permitted for these homemade vehicles that have been crafted in garages across town. Ages 5 through 18-plus will take to the street in three heats. Rules and registration information is at www.riverton4thofjuly.com. Cash prizes for kids; bragging rights for adults.

The must-see Great Riverton Raft Race warms up at 5 p.m. at Riverton Yacht Club with one canoe, one kayak, and one paddleboard race. Then the craziness begins as contestants steer planks of polystyrene, plywood-topped inner tubes and PVC half-pipes with garden rakes, kitchen brooms and Lego-like plastic paddles – because anything truly from the nautical realm is not allowed. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. on site. Safety rules are posted at www.riverton4thofjuly.com. Awards are presented for creativity, biggest spectacle, best-dressed and other honors. Be on the lookout for pirate attacks.

This year’s Parade Marshal in memorium is Thomas C. Whitelock, a Riverton patrol officer killed in 1976 while responding to a knife-wielding man threatening to hurt himself. Whitelock’s call for back-up was answered by an off-duty Palmyra officer. Both of them tackled the man after he cut himself and ran outside. The man grabbed Whitelock’s gun from its holster and shot the Palmyra officer; Whitelock stepped between them to protect the other officer. That shot proved fatal.

Whitelock was the first Riverton police officer killed in the line of duty, and a memorial to him is established in the heart of town at Broad and Main streets. The Fourth of July parade will stop there briefly for a wreath to be laid.