Arts & Entertainment
Head Up North For Things to Do This Weekend
Five 'fun for the whole family' events to celebrate America's independence!
It's Fourth of July weekend, and the Grab & Go Kids Planner is chock full of Independence Day-themed activities for the whole family to enjoy. Learn about the Lenape Native American Indians at a workshop Friday afternoon at the Trailside Nature & Science Center. Then perhaps head up to Turtleback Zoo on Sunday for Red White & Blue Zoo Day and take part in a treasure hunt! And let's not forget the fireworks – we've got three local 4th of July celebrations to tell you about – from the three-day KaBoomfest in Red Bank to the annual local fireworks show in Sewaren, we've got you covered for the entire weekend!
As always, be sure to tell us if you think we forgot something. And if you know of an event that deserves a mention in this planner in the future, be sure to add it to the calendar!
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KaBoomfest 2011 at Marine Park; 1 Marine Park, Red Bank; 732-842-7337; Price: FREE; Friday-Sunday, 2 PM
The annual KaBoom Festival at Marine Park in Red Bank is back for fourth of July weekend. Last year, the festival expanded to three days; this year, they continue that by hosting events Friday evening as well as Saturday and Sunday. Kids amusements, a Boardwalk Barbeque, the annual Rock the River event featuring live bands (headlined by a John Melloncamp tribute band), and a spectacular fireworks show from the Navesink River highlight the events down in Red Bank. Parking can be a pain in Red Bank, so you may want to considering hopping on the train – it's a direct half-hour trip from Woodbridge.
Find out what's happening in East Brunswickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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Red, White, and Blue Zoo Day at Turtleback Zoo; 560 Northfield Ave, West Orange; 973-731-5800; Price: Adults $10, Children $7; Sunday 11 AM-4 PM
Need something to do before the fireworks go off at night? Celebrate America's independence with the animals at Turtleback Zoo! Kids can learn about native American animals and take part in a treasure hunt on the zoo's grounds. A live band will be set up as you check out the llamas, penguins, reptiles, and other fun animals.
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Lenape Life at Trailside Nature and Science Center; 452 New Providence Rd., Mountainside; 908-789-3670; Price: See website; Friday 1:30-3 PM
Learn all about native American life with the Trailside Nature & Science Center's Lenape Life workshop Friday afternoon. The workshop will include information on the native Americans and how they used the land to survive, learning and playing Lenape games like corn darts and flint, building a wigwam, and learning about plants and trees used to cure colds. A great chance to kick off Independence Day weekend by learning about those who were Americans even before the first Pilgrims landed on our shores.
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Games and Races to Celebrate the 4th at ; 1033 Springfield Ave., Cranford; 908-709-7283; Price: FREE; Monday, 2 PM
Nothing says Fourth of July like a day in the park, playing games, eating hot dogs, and settling in at dusk for fireworks. Cranford's Nomahegan Park hosts a day of activities leading up to the fireworks Monday night – there's an egg toss, a parent-and-child backwards race, a bike decorating contest (though if you want in on that one, check it out now, you have to decorate and home and bring the bike with you!), and of course, fireworks at 9 PM. Bring a blanket, a soccer ball, a good book, or whatever you like and enjoy the end of a three-day holiday weekend with the family in the park!
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Sewaren Fireworks at , Cliff Rd., Sewaren; 732-602-6039 ; Price: FREE; Friday, 4 PM
Finally, we come to the local fireworks event – the annual Woodbridge Township Independence Day celebration in Sewaren. This year, the fireworks happen Friday night, July 1st at Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park on the Sewaren waterfront. Woodbridge Idol winner Kelly Peterson will sing the National Anthem, with musical act the Party Dolls providing the sounds of an evening on the Sewaren waterfront. Fireworks will take place after dark, with both contemporary and patriotic music soundtracking the show. Be sure to bring a lawn chair!