Independence Day Weekend Events

Independence Day weekend brings all kinds of celebrations to southern Ocean County. We've already rounded up a , and here are some more local happenings planned for the days ahead.

• An afternoon of garvey races at the Barnegat municipal docks begins at noon on Sunday, July 3. Local race group Jersey Outlaws is organizing the event this year, with races planned for garveys – a traditional Barnegat Bay boat originally designed for shallow-water fishing and now built for speed – speed skiff and ski boats. There will be live music, face painting and free hot dogs for Scouts who come in uniform. The group asks attendees to bring an item to send to military service members overseas. Scroll down to the bottom of this story for details on the other local garvey club's weekend plans.

• On the Fourth itself, head back to the docks for the township’s fireworks show. Live music starts at 7:30 p.m., and the pyrotechnics begin at dusk.

• Bring the kids to Long Beach Island Friday, July 1 for a “Star Spangled Magic” show at Beach Haven’s Fantasy Island amusement park. Join Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross for a show that’s part history and part magic. Shows begin at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

• Head up to the north end of the island the next morning, Saturday, July 2, for the 21st annual Craft Day by the Bay at Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars. The free-admission event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and includes craft booths and food from the Barnegat Light First Aid Squad.

• For some racing fun, trek out to the New Egypt Speedway Saturday for a modified Yankee Classic, a qualifying race for Penn Can’s “King of the Can.” The evening, which starts at 6 p.m., includes a fireworks display. Admission is $25.

• For a dose of patriotic fun, head to Tuckerton on Saturday for its Fourth of July parade, baby parade and fireworks display on Sunday, July 3. The procession starts at 10 a.m. at the Village Shops, 161 E. Main St., and ends at the Tuckerton Seaport, 120 W. Main St.  Fireworks start at dusk at Tip Seaman County Park.

• Waretown is also marking the holiday on Saturday with a more solemn event at 9:30 a.m. at the Olde Waretown Cemetery, 24 Main St. Join in for bagpipes, a singing of the national anthem and the reading of the names of 13 soldiers buried there. The ceremony ends with a playing of taps.

• On Sunday, July 3, the East Coast Boat Racing Club of New Jersey – the group responsible for the Fourth of July garvey races in Barnegat in the past – is starting a new tradition this year in Parkertown. The group is holding a garvey race event and autism fundraiser at the Parktown beach at the end of Dock Street. The event kicks off at noon; a $26 donation gets attendees a ride in a race boat.