Montclair Plans Fourth of July Events

From the Township of Montclair

Montclair's 63rd annual Independence Day Parade promises a host of spectacular performances and live entertainment on Thursday, July 4, beginning at 11 a.m. The parade route is 1.6 miles traveling west on Bloomfield Avenue to Midland Avenue, continuing to Watchung Avenue, west to Valley Road and ending at Edgemont Park where immediately following will be a family picnic.

The Montclair July 4th Fireworks display will take place at Yogi Berra
Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University. Gates open at 7 p.m.
Free parking will be available at the Carparc Diem deck, adjacent to
Floyd Hall Arena. Overflow vehicles will be directed to other parking
areas. (Please note: the Red Hawk Parking Deck will be closed.)

The Township’s 2013 Independence Day celebrations are once again made
possible with the tireless efforts of the Montclair Celebrates
Committee, the Montclair Arts Council and the generosity of the local
community.

Parade Highlights

Joining us again this year will be the Fralinger String Band of
Philadelphia Mummers fame whose 2013 theme is "Back from the Dead".
The zombie themed performance features a whole host of ghoulish
characters in a very-much-alive performance, accompanied by an
energetic and exciting musical score. The Fralingers were first place
winners at the 2013 Philadelphia's New Year's Day Mummers Parade --
their ninth first place win.

The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps -- The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps
is New York City's premier symphonic and marching band. The recipient
of dozens of awards, the Big Apple Corps Marching Band has been seen
by millions in such diverse appearances as a parade to commemorate the
bicentennial of George Washington's Inauguration, a performance in a
church basement in Brooklyn, concerts at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln
Center's Alice Tully Hall, and the New York City Veteran's Day Parade.

Wayne Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps – The world class Wayne Raiders are
a 15-time Drum Corps International Championship Finalist and won best
percussion and best general effect in 2005 in the divisional and world
championships.

This year the Wayne Raiders bring you “The Raven: A Descent Into
Madness.” Based on Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven,” the show follows the
unnamed narrator of Poe’s poem as he relives the heartbreak associated
with the loss of his love. The eponymous raven antagonizes the
narrator, whose life begins to spiral into a madness so deep, he is
unable to deal with his grief, unable to distinguish reality from
fantasy, or life from death.

Caporales San Simon - This Bolivian dance group was first formed in
November of 1978 in the city of Cochabamba. Historically the Caporales
were foremen of the black slaves of the Bolivian hot zones of the
Yungas in La Paz, Bolivia. The group made its first appearance in the
Carnival of Oruro.

Caporales dance is based on the rhythms of the saya, a form of
Bolivian processional dance, but has been transformed with the
addition of different kinds of foreign musical elements. The dancers
wear clothing decorated with lots of color and sequins, reminiscent of
the conquistadors.

St. Columcille United Gaelic Band - The band draws its name from an
Irish prince, warrior and scholar who became a priest to bring early
Christianity to the Western Isles of Ireland and Scotland. St.
Columcille remains a lasting symbol of the unity of the early Celtic
peoples, particularly the Scots and the Irish. This award winning
organization, whose stated mission is to "forward the music of the
Gael," have performed at Montclair's Fourth of July parade for many
years.

Local favorites will also be in the 2013 line-up such as the Montclair
Community Band, community groups and organizations who will have
floats and marchers, fire engines, antique cars, and much, much more
in store, including everyone's favorite – Elvis

Grand Marshals 2012

This year's Grand Marshals are the Montclair Mounties Football Team — the undefeated 2012 NJISAA Football State Champions, and Wade Amadeo a
football booster and ultimate Mountie.

The MHS Boys and Girls Soccer Sectional Champs and the MHS Field
Hockey Sectional Champs will be the 2013 Deputy Marshals.

Family Picnic

After the parade join us for the township family picnic at Edgemont
Park, organized by the new Montclair Arts Council. The kids will enjoy
face painting, sand art, a magician, plus the Jungle Gym Band will
perform for the young and young at heart. Richard Reiter will lead a
drum circle with audience participation for kids and grownups. Plenty
of great food will be available, including a Hawaiian BBQ, hamburgers,
hot dogs and refreshments, plus ice cream from Applegate Farm. Arts,
crafts and artisan display booths will round out an afternoon with
plenty to see and do.

In Case of Rain

In the event of rain, the parade will go on, the picnic in Edgemont
Park and fireworks at Yogi Berra Stadium will be cancelled.

Rain cancellation/postponement announcements will be posted on the
Montclair Township website and on TV34. A rain information phone
number will be available: 973-509-4914; alerts will be sent out to
Montclair Events and Township Services (METS) alert system subscribers
(http://mets.montclairnjusa.org/Subscribe.aspx).

For more information, visit www.montclairnjusa.org/july4th/index.html
or contact Montclair Recreation & Cultural Affairs at 973-509-4915.