Where to see fireworks in Middlesex County this Fourth of July

Cheryl Makin, MyCentralJersey.com
·6 min read

Independence Day celebrations, fireworks are back after quieter pandemic celebrations in 2020 and 2021. This year, 17 Middlesex County towns are lighting up the sky to honor the holiday.

"July 4th events are a staple of a true American summer and one of our major annual events," Edison Mayor Sam Joshi said. "I invite all our neighbors to come out and enjoy the fun and fireworks."

Due to the forecasted weather, check town websites and social media pages before visiting to ensure fireworks times and plans are as listed.

Weather forecast:NJ can expect a warm, slightly rainy 4th of July weekend

CARTERET

Fireworks can be enjoyed at Carteret's Independence Day Festival on July 3 at Waterfront Park.
Fireworks can be enjoyed at Carteret's Independence Day Festival on July 3 at Waterfront Park.

Carteret will be hosting its annual Independence Day Festival from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Waterfront Park and Veterans Pier, 200 Middlesex Ave.

The festival will feature fireworks, live music, DJ, beer and sangria garden, food vendors and rides for kids. The fireworks extravaganza begins at 9:15 p.m., but viewers are encouraged to arrive early to ensure a great view. Parking is limited. Free shuttles run from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Carteret Public Library, Carteret Middle School at Carteret Park and Minue School, 83 Post Ave. This is a rain or shine event.

CRANBURY

The borough's fireworks display is scheduled to begin at dark Tuesday at Brainerd Lake in Village Park on Maplewood Avenue.

EAST BRUNSWICK

East Brunswick will host a "Fireworks Spectacular" celebration on Monday at the Community Arts Center at 721 Cranbury Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. There will be children's activities, food trucks and live music. The rain date is July 5. Parking is available at the Community Arts Center, Middlesex Fairgrounds and Heavenly Farms.

EDISON

Edison residents can enjoy live music, food vendors, a beer and wine garden, kids’ rides and fireworks at the township's annual July 4th celebration. The goal is to make it bigger and better than ever, township officials said.

More:Woodbridge announces plans for Independence Day celebration

The fireworks display will begin at 9:15 p.m. on Monday at Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal Boulevard with the day's festivities beginning at 3 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the fireworks show. Shuttle bus service will be available from 3 to 10 p.m. to transport residents who park throughout the Edison Square Complex, at 2025-2045 Lincoln Highway, to Papaianni Park. A trackless train will also be available to take people who need assistance from the park entrance into the park. For senior residents, transportation will be available from their homes to the celebration. Senior residents in need of transportation should call 732-248-7345.

HIGHLAND PARK

On Sunday at Donaldson Park, Highland Park will host "Fireworks in the Park" beginning at 6 p.m. The fireworks are expected to begin at 9:20 p.m. There also will be family friendly activities and food vendors. The rain date is July 7.

MILLTOWN

The borough will hold events from a fishing derby at 6:30 a.m., parade at 10 a.m. through to the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on Monday. The day also features activities along Main Street such as pizza eating contest, duck race, fun run and 5K run, live music and a borough-wide patriotic house contest.

MONROE

Thompson Park, located at Thompson Drive and Lakeview Ave., will be the site of Monroe's Fourth of July celebration. Featuring fireworks at dusk, the event will also feature food, rides, music and entertainment beginning at 5 p.m.

NEW BRUNSWICK

Boyd Park is the site for Independence Day festivities in New Brunswick. Starting at 4:30 p.m., the festivities will include food trucks, DJ, inflatables and other novelties. Sharing the fireworks with Highland Park as the display is set off on the borough's side of the Raritan River in Donaldson Park, the show is planned for 9:15 p.m.

NORTH BRUNSWICK

As part of the North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival, there will be "America the Beautiful" fireworks at 10 p.m. Saturday off Route 1. Tickets to the festival can be obtained at www.northbrunswickyouthsportsfestival.com. All proceeds from the Youth Sports Festival go directly towards the youth sports groups of North Brunswick.

PERTH AMBOY and SOUTH AMBOY

A festival and fireworks show is planned for Sunday, due to the forecasted weather, in Perth Amboy, which does the event jointly with South Amboy. Fireworks will begin at 9:20 p.m. on Sadowski Parkway as part of an festival which begins at 3 p.m. and includes vendors, food trucks and live music. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

PISCATAWAY

Home to the first national Fourth of July celebration in 1778, Piscataway has an Independence Day Fireworks Show planned for Monday, with activities beginning at 5 p.m. at the Piscataway High School football field, 100 Behmer Road. Fireworks commence at 9 p.m. Rain date is Tuesday. Call the cancellation hotline at 732-562-2389 for information.

SAYREVILLE

Sayreville will be marking the Fourth of July from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, due to forecasted weather, with fireworks, music, food trucks, inflatables and face painting at Kennedy Park, 807 Washington Road.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK

South Brunswick will host an "Independence Day Celebration: Fireworks, Food Trucks and Entertainment" on Friday at Crossroads South Middle School, 195 Major Road in the Monmouth Junction section of the township. The concert begins at 6 p.m., with fireworks around 9:15 p.m. The rain date is July 8.

SPOTSWOOD and HELMETTA

Spotswood and Helmetta will hold Mayors' March and Spark in the Park July 2.
Spotswood and Helmetta will hold Mayors' March and Spark in the Park July 2.

Spotswood and Helmetta will join forces again this year to celebrate Independence Day with the Mayors' March and Spark in the Park on Saturday. A parade will kick off at 1 p.m. at Holy Trinity Church in Helmetta and end at Immaculate Conception Church in Spotswood. Staging for the parade will start at noon. After a brief break, the festivities will continue at 6:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Sports Field, 23 Manalapan Road, with family activities, a beer and sangria garden, food trucks, music and fireworks. Round-trip shuttle service will be available from Helmetta Borough Hall to Immaculate for the event from 6 to 10 p.m.

WOODBRIDGE

Gates open at 4 p.m. for the annual Woodbridge Township Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks display. The event will take place at Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park on the Sewaren waterfront on Friday.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., Pyrotecnico Fireworks will present the "Bringing the Night to Life" fireworks display with more than 30 thousand shots fired electronically by computers in synchronization to a wide selection of patriotic and contemporary music simulcast on 1079 WOLD radio.

More:Fourth of July celebration on the Raritan Bay returning in 2022

Alvin P. Williams Park will be closed during the day to allow for the fireworks set-up. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are encouraged. There is no reserved seating and no alcoholic beverages permitted in the park. In case of inclement weather call the Department of Recreation at 732-602-6045 or go to the township website atwww.twp.woodbridge.nj.us. The rain date is Saturday.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Where to see fireworks in Middlesex County this Fourth of July