Livingston will hold its 87th annual celebration of Independence Day with a day of family-friendly activities on Thursday July 4. Most events will take place on and around the Oval on Robert Harp Drive, with additional events at Northland Recreation Center, 3 Madison Court.
The patriotic opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Mervyn V.T. Haines Community Pool. Dena Sweeney will sing the National Anthem. Ceremony participants will include members of Livingston’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2856; Livingston American Legion Post 201; the Jewish War Veterans Livingston Post 740; the Vietnam Vets of America Chapter 510; the Livingston Township Council; and the Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America. The ceremony will be followed by the Kiwanis Club’s Children’s Swim Kamival, from 10:15 to 11 a.m.
The 31st annual Autofest, said to be the largest July 4th car show in New Jersey, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Livingston High School parking lot. On display will be muscle cars, collector and antique cars, motorcycles, and trucks. A DJ will provide entertainment.
Events at the Oval
The Livingston High School Alumni Baseball Game will be played at the Oval from 9 to 11 a.m.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Livingston Chinese Association will sponsor children’s games and photo booth; the Livingston Huaxia Chinese School will sponsor a children’s art show and robotics demonstration; and the Livingston Christian Church will sponsor balloon animals and flowers.
The Livingston Masonic Lodge # 11 will sponsor a Child ID program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In an annual tradition dating back more than two decades, Colonel Peter Berkowsky (USAF ret.) will read the Declaration of Independence at the Doris Beck Gazebo at 11:30 a.m.
Between noon and 3 p.m., activities at the Oval will include a martial arts performance by Zen Wushu at the Café Stage; free pony rides; ninehole mini golf, and a giant Connect Four game.
At 12:30p.m.,children are invited to watch the “Hocus Pocus Magic Show” with Joe Fisher.
The traditional July 4th ice creameating contest will take place from 2:30 to 3 p.m.
From noon to 7:30 p.m., there will also be inflatables, a rock wall, hatchet throwing, a bungee jump, and a 250-foot zip line.
Activities from 3 to 7:30 p.m. will include rolling video games and a race car simulator.
Food trucks and vendors will be on the Oval during the afternoon and evening.
Events at Northland
Northland Recreation Center will host a cricket game from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and an exhibition game from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. A pickleball tournament, organized by Livingston Pickleball, will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. There will also be food trucks at that location.
A free shuttle will provide transportation between Northland and the Oval.
Beer and Wine Garden
The Beer and Wine Café will open at the Oval at 3:30 p.m. Individuals must be 21 years or older to purchase alcohol, and must show ID. Last call will be at 7 p.m.
Two bands will provide entertainment: the Brian Drux Project and Livingston Leo and the Goodhart Boyz. Individuals must be 21 years or older, with proper ID, to enter the beer and wine garden.
Main Stage and Fireworks
As the beer and wine garden winds down, attendees are encouraged to find a spot for their blankets or chairs on the Oval for the day’s main stage entertainment at 7:30 p.m. This will be a performance by We May Be Right, a Billy Joel cover band.
Livingston’s Independence Day celebration will conclude with the annual fireworks display at 9 p.m.
Regular and handicapped-accessible portable toilets will be available at the Oval.
General parking is typically available in the St. Philomena Church lot. Handicapped parking will be available in the Library parking lot, 10 Robert Harp Drive (enter from South Livingston Avenue).
In case of inclement weather, updates will be provided on the township’s Facebook page.
