Barnegat Light Parade Kicks off LBI's 4th Celebrations

BARNEGAT LIGHT ---- The borough was able to host its annual 4th of July Parade and Concert shortly before Mother Nature provided the fireworks on Sunday night.

“I’m glad we have such a great night this year and so many people were able to come out and enjoy it,” said Mayor Kirk Larson.

The parade is an annual event which, according to whom you ask, has been held since the 1950s or longer. Scott Sharples, from the Barnegat Light Community Public Events Committee which organized the parade, said he remembers his first parade when he was about five.

Another committee member, Tom Stiles, who is quite a bit older then the 30-something Sharples, said it’s been for as long as he can remember. “It’s probably been forever,” he said.

Starting out from the Municipal Complex parking lot on West 10th St., the parade route was short but fun filled. Led by a Coast Guard color guard from the local station and the Liberty Band playing patriotic songs and rousing Sousa marches, locals and summer residents decked out in flags and covered in red, white and blue fell in right behind.

While the parade may have been held forever, this year was certainly mainly for the young. Riding their red, white and blue bikes, waving flags from the wagons being pulled by their parents or walking with their Stars and Stripes face painted friends the kids were all smiles and giggles as they waved to the appreciative crowd lining the route.

Two youngsters in keeping with this year’s theme of “Hometown Heroes” were dressed in military uniforms that apparently belonged to their parents or even grand parents.

A team from the Barnegat Light Museum pedaled a surrey cycle displaying a banner with the names of the 20 or so residents that had served in World War II. “The population was only around 250 back then,” said Marc Lipman from the museum. “So that means about 10 percent of the population served and luckily, they all came back alive."

Of course there were fire engines, police cars and ambulances with their sirens blaring. The Beach Patrol and water rescue teams were parading as well with one member towing a JetSki while wearing a Viking helmet, in keeping with the strong Scandinavian roots of this fishing as well as vacation community.

The parade ended with classic cars bringing up the rear at the Jim 'Moose' Morrison Pavilion on the 8th Street bayfront. The pavilion, in the shadow of Kubel’s, was named for Morrision, who in addition to being a part owner of the restaurant served on the borough council for more than 15 years.

Mayor Larson led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance prior to Stiles handing out the various award ribbons, mostly to children, for their decorating and marching efforts.

The Liberty Band then took over and ended the night with a sunset concert.

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