Seaside Heights Fireworks, Events Light Up Fourth Of July Weekend

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — With the Fourth of July falling on a Tuesday for 2017, it's a fair bet that a lot of folks will be turning it into a four-day weekend.

So what can you do to make the most of those four days (or more, if you're stretching it into a full vacation) and do more than sit on the beach?

On July 2, the Family Fun Nights return. Held on the beach at Fremont Avenue, Family Fun Night begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes tug-of-war, long jump, hula hoop, hurdles, Frisbee golf, and various other activities. The center piece of these activities is a large inflatable obstacle course.

The Family Fun Nights are held every Sunday through Aug. 27 and they are free.

On July 3, the Boardwalk Concert Series begins. The free concert, on the boardwalk at the Franklin Avenue stage, begins at 7 p.m. Bring your beach chairs or blankets to relax and enjoy the show by Joey Arminio & The Family’s USO Review for a patriotic celebration. The concert — and the rest of the concerts in the Boardwalk Concert Series, which are scheduled for every Monday through Sept. 4 — is free.

On July 4, there is the Seaside Heights Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza, held on the beach and visible from anywhere on the boardwalk. They are sponsored by Coca-Cola and are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. In case adverse weather — rain or strong winds — or beach conditions (high tides) cause a cancellation, the fireworks will be rescheduled to Friday, July 7.

While you're waiting for the fireworks to start, catch a showing of "Jaws," as movies on the beach returns. The movie begins at 8 p.m. on the Carteret Avenue beach. Bring seating; the movie is free.

If you're hanging around past the Fourth (or if you're a local who is simply looking for something different to do), there are two free events on July 6. Guitars on the Beach returns to the Blaine Avenue beach, beginning with Indie/Folk Music Songwriter Jam. Access begins at 4:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 5 p.m. In addition, the Junk Rock Drummers (their instruments are made from a variety of unusual items) will perform on the boarwalk between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Guitars on the Beach happens weekly on Thursdays at the Blaine Avenue Beach.

New LED-lighted Ferris wheel at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, photo by Karen Wall