Mt. Carmel Feast, Fireworks Information 2018

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — Heading to the 2018 Mt. Carmel Feast and Fireworks in Berkeley Heights this weekend? Here is everything you need to know.

The festival will run from Friday, July 13 through Monday, July 16 and will be held at Mt. Carmel Field, 56 River Rd., Berkeley Heights. The fairgrounds will be open from 6 to 11 p.m. each night.

For rides, unlimited wrist bands for $25 will be available only July 13 through 15. Wrist bands will not be available on July 16. Individual ride tickets will be available July 13 through 16 for cash only.

Sunday, July 15 – “Mini” Family Friendly Fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m.

• Free admission
• There will be no parking on the fairgrounds, July 15 for safety reason and in order to allow more room for viewing the show.

Monday, July 16 - Feast Day

• 8 a.m. - Processional parade through town with the Blessed Mother statue.

The members of Mt. Carmel Society convene at Little Flower Church, on Plainfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights dressed in their "marching attire" and sashes designating their membership at 8 a.m. The Virgin Mary is decorated with flowers and white ribbons as she’s carefully prepared to travel her journey through town. The travel route is followed each year with designated stops at the homes of previous members. This is done to respect the family, remember loved ones and to honor the tradition.

A band providing Italian American music leads the traditional route through designated areas. To honor the Blessed Mother, many will pin money on the white ribbons she adorns. The funds collected during the parade are later removed and donated to the Little Flower Church. In keeping with tradition, each donor is provided with a Mt. Carmel scapular.

All are welcome to join the procession at any time throughout the route.

• After the procession, a short mass is held at Little Flower Church followed by a free picnic lunch held at Peppertown Park on Plainfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights.

Fair and Firework Extravaganza on Tuesday, July 16

• All parking is off-site on July 16.
• Handicap parking will be available at Columbia Middle School located at 345 Plainfield Ave., try to arrive before 6 p.m.
• Springfield Avenue will close to all traffic at 6 p.m.
• Shuttle transportation will be available from Columbia Middle School on Plainfield Avenue to the front gate of the fair starting at 6 p.m. and will end at 10:30 p.m.
• There will be return shuttle service available but not until after the event is over and all pedestrian traffic is clear from the roads.

On July 16, adult admission and children over 6 is $15 per person and children 5 and under are free.

For more information click here.

(Image via Richard Scinto/Patch)

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