Celebrate the 4th of July in Maplewood for 2015

Look around Maplewood and there’s a good chance that you won’t find anything as old as the town’s annual July 4th celebration.

Now in its 113th year, the 2015 shindig will be organized by the July Fourth Committee of the Maplewood Civic Association.

This year’s celebration will include daylong activities and events around Memorial Park and Maplewood Village, including an old-fashioned circus and fireworks.

Visit the online event site for more details, to learn how to volunteer, or to purchase tickets in advance.

See the full schedule of events for the Saturday, July 4 celebration below, courtesy of the July Fourth Committee of the Maplewood Civic Association.

EVENT SCHEDULE

7 am - register for 7:30 a.m. Annual 4TH OF JULY 5K RUN starts and finishes on Dunnell Road near the Civic House (124 Dunnell). Separate registration and fee required. Benefits CHS Cross-Country Team.

7:45 am - Traditional Maplewood July 4th begins at Ricalton Square, where kids and adults assemble for the 8 a.m. OPENING CEREMONIES. VFW color guard and representatives of the Township Committee will lead the Flag Salute & Anthem.

8:15 am - KIDS’ BIKES, ETC. PARADE steps off from Ricalton Square with everything you can push, pedal or pull. Red, white and blue decorated bikes. Neighborhoods and organizations are invited to create original theme parade entries. The Parade concludes in athletic field south of Oakview Avenue in time for 9 am Kids’ Races.

9 am - KIDS’ DASHES & RACES organized by South Mountain YMCA in the athletic field south of Oakview Avenue. Requires parent or guardian sign-up (forms available at races July 4 or in advance at libraries, 60 Woodland Road, online at www.maple4th.com and SOM schools website). 30-yard dash (ages 6–8); 50-yard dash (9 & up); Relay Race (racers must organize their own teams by age and gender, if possible); and special races for age 5 & under. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons are awarded. Morning concession (coffee, water, etc.) by Troop 5 Maplewood Boy Scouts.

9–9:30 am - dropoff BAKING CONTEST entries at 60 Woodland Road.

10 am to 2 pm - CHS ROBOTICS CLUB students display and demonstrate at 60 Woodland Road.

10 am - Participatory community ART PROJECT, The Eagle and The Flag. Art “pixels” begun all around town starting in April will be installed and displayed on two ballfield backstops south of Oakview . Open to all ages and presented by John Kaufman; sponsored by Memorial Post 10120 VFW and 1978 Maplewood Arts Center.

11 am - ICE CREAM EATING CONTESTS, presented by Maplewood Rotary at 60 Woodland Road (K-12 & Adults). 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons are awarded.

11 am - TENNIS CONTESTS at Civic House tennis courts: fastest serve and most accurate serve; presented by Maplewood Recreation Tennis Program.

11:30 am - BAKING CONTEST (all ages) — (entries need to be at 60 Woodland Road between 9 and 9:30 am). Awards categories include cake, pie, pastry, bread, cookie/bar and presentation. Judging directed by Janet Crane.

12 to 3 pm - Play or watch ADULT SOFTBALL.

12 noon - KARAOKE by New Jersey DJ Services LLC.

12 noon - KIDS’ PERCUSSION organized by South Mountain YMCA in the athletic field south of Oakview Avenue.

12 noon - PET AWARDS SHOW at 60 Woodland Road. Bring your pets of all types and all sizes to show off and take home a ribbon. Supported by PetSmart.

1, 3:30 and 6 pm - The ZERBINI FAMILY CIRCUS performs under the Big Top in Athletic field NORTH of Oakview., rain or shine, first-come first-served. There are no reserved seats and seating is limited, so line up early! Zerbini, part of eight generations of circus people, is an old-fashioned, small traditional family circus with acrobats, dancing, juggling, clowning, and dog and pony shows. There are pony and camel rides, ship slide and moon bounce attractions at extra charge (Tag purchase does not include circus concessions).

4 pm - Come to the lawn (athletic field south of Oakview Avenue) for LIVE MUSIC until fireworks, featuring local young and adult bands. Picnic and get ready for the fireworks. Ice cream vendor; and hotdogs, soda, etc. will be sold by Maplewood’s Boy Scout Troop 5.

FIREWORKS are at or about 9 p.m., but come early because ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE. Fireworks are close and LOUD! Parental discretion advised for small children and pets; consider viewing from a distance. Rain Date: July 5 (Circus and indoor events will be July 4, rain or shine).