Celebrate Independence Day in Manchester and Lakehurst

There's no need to travel far to celebrate Independence Day this year — Manchester and Lakehurst have plenty of events scheduled to mark the occasion.

Manchester will commemorate the day a few days early, as the township hosts its celebration on Saturday, June 30, at Harry Wright Lake in Whiting beginning at 5 p.m. Free children's rides, food and other vendors will be on-hand. 

At 6 p.m., the Journey tribute band Separate Ways will perform, and at 7:30 p.m. Jersey Sound will take the stage. To cap off the night's festivities, a fireworks display will light up the sky at 9 p.m.

This year's celebration marks , as a fireworks display was scuttled last year due to budget concerns. A shuttle service to the lake is available, with pickup points throughout the township. The schedule is available online. 

Lakehurst will hold its Independence Day celebration on Wednesday, July 4, beginning with a classic car show 9 a.m. at the borough's elementary school grounds.

A parade will march down Union Avenue in the borough's downtown at 11 a.m., and a fireworks display will begin at at dusk. 

Last year's Independence Day celebration at the lake , according to borough officials.