Ocean County July 4th Fireworks, Parades and More: 2018 Guide

If you love fireworks and patriotic celebrations for the Fourth of July, Ocean County is packed with ways to celebrate America's birthday.

Whether you're vacationing for the week from out of the area or live locally, take a look at the list of events below. There's patriotic concerts and commemorations, laser light shows and bicycle parades. And, of course, fireworks.

If you're headed out Tuesday evening or Wednesday, be sure to bring plenty of water because the heat that has enveloped the area for the last few days is expected to temper only slightly, according to the National Weather Service. The heat advisory remains in effect through 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday has high temperatures of 87 degrees predicted inland, with slightly cooler temperatures at the beach.

The good news is there is no rain in the forecast until Thursday, when there is a slight chance of thunderstorms. Friday has a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

Here are the events in the area (older events have been moved to the bottom of the list).

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FIREWORKS

July 4

Point Pleasant Beach Independence Day Celebration
Jenkinson's Boardwalk & Beach, 300 Ocean Ave.
Fireworks at dusk

July 4
Seaside Heights Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

July 4
Beach Haven 4th of July Fireworks
Taylor Avenue Park, Beach Haven
Fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

July 4
Tuckerton 4th of July Parade, Food Trucks, Family Fun & Fireworks
Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street
Parade at 10 a.m., festival 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fireworks at dusk

July 5
Brick's 2018 Annual Summerfest Concert
Windward Beach, Princeton Avenue, Brick
Concert 7:30 p.m., Fireworks at dark

July 7
Plumsted 2018 Rockin' Fireworks
New Egypt High School, 117 Evergreen Road, New Egypt
4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

PARADES & OTHER EVENTS

June 30-July 4
Six Flags Great Adventure's July 4th Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Fireworks displays nightly at 10 p.m.; USO Show Troupe will perform 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., & 8 p.m. July 3rd and July 4th.

July 3
Lakewood BlueClaws
FirstEnergy Park, New Hampshire and Cedar Bridge avenues, Lakewood
Postgame fireworks after Lakewood BlueClaws vs. Delmarva Shorebirds baseball game

July 4
Lakehurst Independence Day Parade and Car Show
Union Avenue/Lakehurst Elementary School
Parade begins at 11 a.m. down Union Avenue, Lakehurst. Car show is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakehurst Elementary School

July 4
Lavallette Patriotic Bike Parade
President Avenue, Lavallette
Parade begins at 9 a.m.

July 4
Pine Beach 4th of July Parade & Family Field Games
Pine Beach Firehouse
Parade begins at 9 a.m. at the firehouse, games at Vista Field. Games to include: running races, peanut scramble, women's balloon blowing contest, sack races, men's tug of war, water balloon toss.

July 4
Seaside Park Patriotic Bike Parade
Bayview & 14th Ave.
Parade begins at 9 a.m.

July 4
South Toms River Independence Day Celebration
Mathis Veterans Memorial Park
Celebration 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; free activities for kids

July 4
Mantoloking Independence Day Parade
Downer Ave., Mantoloking
Parade at noon

July 4
Ocean Gate Independence Day Parade & Festival
The borough is marking its 100th anniversary this July 4th week with several events.
The Independence Day parade steps off from Adrian Hall on Cape May Avenue at 10 a.m. You can register for the parade at Adrian Hall beginning at 8 a.m. The festival follows at the Wildwood Avenue Pier with beach races and the annual egg toss contest at noon.
A boat parade will be held July 7.

July 7
Barnegat Light Independence Day Parade & Concert
West 11th St., Barnegat Light
Parade: 6:30 p.m.
Band performs at the Gazebo at the Bayfront on 8th St. after the parade. Decorated kids on bikes, family floats, fire trucks, etc.

July 7
Harvey Cedars Craft Day by the Bay
Sunset Park, West Salem Avenue, Harvey Cedars
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

July 7
Ocean Gate Boat Parade
On the Toms River
Parade will start at dusk in the cove west of the yacht club. Boats will proceed slowly along the shoreline up to the entrance of Ocean Gate Yacht Basin and return to the yacht club.

(The following events occurred before July 3)

June 27
Berkeley Township Summer Concert Series & Fireworks
Veterans Park, Bill Zimmerman Way, Berkeley
Concert 6 p.m.; Fireworks 9 p.m.

June 30
Manchester Independence Day Celebration & Manchester Day
Harry Wright Lake, Lake Road
Festival 2 p.m., Fireworks at dusk. Kids' rides, games, contests, food and live music.

June 30
Barnegat Township Independence Day Celebration and Concert
Barnegat Municipal Dock
Concert at 7 p.m. Fireworks at dusk (rain date July 1)

June 30

Laser Spirit: A Patriotic Laser ExperienceRobert J. Novins Planetarium @ Ocean County College, Toms River5:30 p.m. Laser show featuring a mix of pop, classic rock, oldies, adult contemporary, and patriotic music. Contact the planetarium.

June 30
Waretown Independence Day Celebration
Waretown Lake & Recreation Park, 182 Wells Mills Rd., Waretown
The program consists of a flag salute by Barnegat American Legion Post 232, National Anthem by Jo-Ann Scotto, and the honoring of civil war veterans that are buried in the Olde Cemetery with the ringing of the bell ceremony for the families. At the conclusion there will be refreshments.
Program begins at 10 a.m.

June 30-July 4
Six Flags Great Adventure's July 4th Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Fireworks displays nightly at 10 p.m.; USO Show Troupe will perform 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., & 8 p.m. July 3rd and July 4th.

July 1
In Toms River, Celebrate America! with the Garden State Philharmonic in Toms RiverOcean County Library, Washington Street, Toms River7 p.m. outside the library. Celebrate Independence Day with the Garden State Philharmonic Orchestra and the GSP Community Chorus. Since the 1960s, this annual concert has elevated July 4th festivities with music. Bring your own chair and sit anywhere for this outdoor concert. Part of the Ocean County Parks & Recreation's Carousel of Music Series.

July 1

Lavallette Independence Day Celebration
Lavallette Gazebo, Philadelphia Ave.
Concert 8 p.m., Fireworks 9 p.m.

July 3

Lakewood Independence Day Celebration
Lake Caralsaljo, Lakewood Road
Concert 7:30 p.m.; Fireworks 9:15 p.m. Music by the Wilbur Wittemann Patriotic Band. Shuttle buses available from Public Works & Lakewood Municipal Bldg

July 3
Lacey Township Fireworks & Concert
Lacey Township High School, Haines Street
Concert at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at dusk

July 3
Lakehurst Independence Day Fireworks
Lake Horicon, Lakehurst
Fireworks at the lake at dusk (July 7 raindate)

July 4
Beachwood's 4th of July Fireworks Over the Toms River
Beachwood Beach, Bayside Ave., Beachwood
Fireworks at dusk. Annual fireworks are a spectacular display seen from the Beachwood Beach along the Toms River, food available! Shawn & Sue from WOBM 92.7FM will be live on site.

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