Fireworks draw a big crowd to Brookdale Park

Brookdale Park was jammed Friday night as hundreds of people came out to enjoy the fireworks at Brookdale Park.

The celebration, which included a performance by the U.S. Military Academy Band, drew people from throughout Essex and other counties.

On a near-perfect July night, viewers brought picnics, blankets, lawn chairs, and in some cases, family pets to sit under the stars.

The fireworks display is one of several being held in the area for the Fourth of July weekend.

If you missed the Brookdale extravaganza, or just want to experience more exciting fireworks, here are some of the other events nearby:

• Yogi Berra Stadium (Montclair State University campus at the intersection of Valley Road and Normal Avenue) Monday, July 4.  Gates open at 6:30pm; fireworks begin at 9:15pm.  
• Annual Lefty Boland Fun Meet & Rotary BBQ & Fireworks -  Monday, 5:30 p.m. West Orange High School, 51 Conforti Ave., West Orange
• Music and Fireworks at Memorial Park - Monday, 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Memorial Park, Maplewood. The festivities, including the bikes parade, 5K run, ice cream eating contest and pet show - begin as early as 7:45 a.m. The Zerbini Family circus will perform three shows. Live music starts at 4 p.m. and continues until the fireworks show at 9 p.m. Tags are required ($10).
• Old-Fashioned Fourth of July - Monday, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Taylor Park, Millburn. Expect a day of decorated bike contests, parades, pony rides, duck races, rides and games - plus a Revolutionary War encampment - at this Fourth event. DJ Krazy Kat will spin at Millburn High School from 7 p.m. until the fireworks display (around 9 p.m.).

Music Under the Stars and Fireworks - Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Branch Brook Park, Newark (near Heller Parkway) 
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will be performing in the park, so pack a picnic and bring the family. A 50-50 raffle will be held and icecream and snack vendors will on premises. A fireworks spectacular will be held after the show.

Download the movie