Celebrate the 4th of July in the Ironbound

The Ironbound Business Improvement District (IBID) will present the “Ironbound 4th of July Thank You America Festival”, a 2-day open air event for the whole family on Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th. Come spend the day and enjoy live music, carnival rides, games and activities, a traditional 4th of July BBQ and the incredible international food of the Ironbound. All proceeds will go to the Ironbound Relief Fund, established to help local families in need.

The Festival, which will be held from noon to 10:00 p.m. each day, will be located at 44-60 Clover Street, between Ferguson and Polk Streets in Newark’s Ironbound. The event is being supported by Mayor Ras J. Baraka, East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador, the City of Newark, The Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Ironbound’s business community and other sponsors.

On Saturday the 4th, a large fireworks display will take place on the Passaic River after 9:00 p.m. The fireworks will be visible from the event area, but the best view will be from nearby Riverbank Park. During the day, a concert stage will feature performances from DJs, folkloric groups from the Ironbound’s many cultures and a rock/country band to close the night.

The festival will continue on Sunday the 5th. The concert stage will have live bands, DJs, folk groups and to end the night there will be a comedy show with TV celebrity and comedian Mr. Herman Jose, considered the biggest comedian/entertainer in the Portuguese scene of all times.

“The Ironbound 4th of July Thank You America Festival is a celebration for everyone who loves America, its freedom, opportunity and justice,” stated Councilman Amador. “Therefore, the event is an opportunity for the Ironbound community, highly populated by immigrants to America, to say thank you and reaffirm their contributions to this country. In a community as diverse as the Ironbound, it’s highly appropriate that we Thank America for opening its doors to us.”

“Immigrants are as American as apple pie,” added Omar Melo, an immigrant from Brazil, who is helping to organize the festival. “We all want to contribute to this country and our struggle to learn and become citizens is not a strange story to anyone who came to these shores and settled here.”

The event will provide an opportunity for participants to share their pride in our nation and celebrate July 4th in a safe, family-friendly and fun environment with an exciting schedule of activities. To participate as a vendor or sponsor, or for more information, call Omar Melo, Event Manager at 973-951-9500. For more information on the stage shows call Little City Hall at 973-733-3665 or 973-733-5309. For additional information about the Ironbound District, call the IBID at 973-491-9191 or visit goironbound.com.