Think you have to drive downtown, battling traffic and crowds or spend big bucks for admission tickets to have a quality family Fourth this year? Think again! In researching local July 4th festivities, I was wowed by all that is available within a 30-minute drive of the North Penn region!
Here's the low-down in short. Complete details on each town's festivities can be found by clicking on that town's name.
Parade begins at 11AM at the rear of the former First Niagara Bank on Main Street. The picnic (with games, music & more!) follows in Weingartner Park until 2pm.
Upper Salford
The 23rd annual Red, White & Blue parade sponsored by the Upper Salford Citizens Group will line up on Potato Road at 9:15AM and proceed at 10AM down Old Skippack Road to the Upper Salford Firehouse where refreshments will be available.
Parade begins at Town Center (Route 202 / Giant ), travels 202 South to 152 North and ends at North Branch Park on Park Avenue. Bring your lawn chairs and watch the hometown community parade go by with marching bands, scout troops, antique cars, decorated floats, fire trucks, and more!
Skippack Village
Parade starts at 11am and travels down Skippack Pike. BBQ at the Park Bistro starting at 3pm. Fireworks start at dusk in Palmer Park.
Norristown / Elmwood Park Zoo
In Norristown, the annual parade begins at 10 a.m. Marching bands and more move from Main and DeKalb Streets to Elmwood Park on Harding Avenue, where live music will continue all day and the fireworks will light the sky beginning at dusk. Activities at Elmwood Park begin at Noon, with a live concert at 4PM.
Doylestown / Fonthill Museum
Plymouth Twp
Plymouth’s Jolly Road Parade begins at 10 a.m. July 4 at Beacon Hill Lane and ends at Greater Plymouth Community Center, 2910 Jolly Road, with refreshments and kids’ activities. Bring your banners, wear your uniforms, and decorate your cars, cycles, bikes, and wagons to show your red, white and blue patriotic spirit to the township.
The “good old days” are recreated on the grounds of Fonthill Museum for Fonthill's Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration. The family-friendly event features a variety of activities including the traditional Children's Decorated Bike Parade, old-fashioned games, live music, entertainment, picnic foods and much more.
PS - There is also a concert with fireworks on the night of the 3rd at Central Park in Doylestown!
Plymouth Twp
Plymouth’s Jolly Road Parade begins at 10 a.m. July 4 at Beacon Hill Lane and ends at Greater Plymouth Community Center, 2910 Jolly Road, with refreshments and kids’ activities. Bring your banners, wear your uniforms, and decorate your cars, cycles, bikes, and wagons to show your red, white and blue patriotic spirit to the township.
Eagleville / Lower Providence
100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville. Music at 6:30pm, "Soul Purpose," followed by fireworks at dusk. Refreshments and glow accessories for purchase.
Oreland
The Oreland Lions host the 61st annual Independence Day Parade on Monday. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Twining Road in Upper Dublin and proceeds through downtown Oreland and ends up at the Little League field. There will be free hot dogs and juice and games for the kids.
Abington / Glenside
Quite possibly the fanciest line-up of festivities in our area. 108th Annual Grand, Glorious, Patriotic Parade at 4pm. The 1.5 mile trek through the heart of Glenside's business district. Fireworks at 9:15pm, including nearly 1,000 high-level rockets!
Whitemarsh Twp
The Whitemarsh parade, co-sponsored with Whitemarsh Lions Club, is set to begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Barren Hill Fire Company, following Germantown Pike to Miles Park and concluding with a picnic. This year’s parade will include a special tribute to veterans.
100 Parklane Drive, Eagleville. Music at 6:30pm, "Soul Purpose," followed by fireworks at dusk. Refreshments and glow accessories for purchase.
Oreland
The Oreland Lions host the 61st annual Independence Day Parade on Monday. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Twining Road in Upper Dublin and proceeds through downtown Oreland and ends up at the Little League field. There will be free hot dogs and juice and games for the kids.
Abington / Glenside
Quite possibly the fanciest line-up of festivities in our area. 108th Annual Grand, Glorious, Patriotic Parade at 4pm. The 1.5 mile trek through the heart of Glenside's business district. Fireworks at 9:15pm, including nearly 1,000 high-level rockets!
Whitemarsh Twp
The Whitemarsh parade, co-sponsored with Whitemarsh Lions Club, is set to begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Barren Hill Fire Company, following Germantown Pike to Miles Park and concluding with a picnic. This year’s parade will include a special tribute to veterans.
From 11AM to 3PM, enjoy children’s craft activities, hear Founding Father Thomas Jefferson read the Declaration of Independence, and have the opportunity to add your John Hancock to it! Living history reenactors will set up camp at the Muhlenberg Brigade huts and demonstrate soldier life and Revolutionary War artillery (KA-BOOM!) throughout the day. Pack a picnic or purchase hot dogs and hamburgers on site.
Events and activities will include an old-fashioned 4th of July celebration at Stenton, featuring a flag craft and ice-cream making, Hood Cemetery and Cliveden of the National Trust will be open for tours, special historic performances at the Johnson House and the annual Bell Ringing at the Concord School and Upper Burying Ground.
There are also a ton of really fun non-Independence Day themed events happening this weekend, as well. Carnivals, Farmers' Markets, First Friday celebrations, and a Make-Your-Own Ice Cream Sundae Party at Jumpin' Jack's just to name a few! Find details on all of those on the North Penn Under Ten Calendar.
Happy Birthday, America!!
