From parades to concerts to celebrations, South Jersey is home to a variety of rich neighborhood traditions on the Fourth of July. Here are the details for this upcoming Independence Day.
By Matt Skoufalos | June 28, 2018
Every Fourth of July weekend, the historic communities of Camden County revive a number of familiar traditions, from pool parties to parades to fireworks displays. Here’s our comprehensive, comprehensive list of celebrations in our coverage area, including start times, rain dates, and event details.
Peddler’s Path mural in downtown Audubon. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
Audubon
Audubon will hold its annual Independence Day parade starting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 4.
The traditional parade route originates at the intersection of Paris Avenue and Amherst Road; details for marchers are here.
This year’s theme is “VOLUNTEER!
Working Together, Shaping Our Future
Engage, Exchange…Become the Change.”
The event also includes field games at Audubon High School, starting at 10:45 a.m., and the annual Audubon Fire Department open house, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. The borough fireworks show at Audubon High School opens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Bike Parade. Credit: Collingswood Jr. Women’s Club.
Collingswood
Collingswood kicks off its Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday, July 4, with a 10 a.m. bike parade hosted by Bike Up Collingswood.
Children, families, and solo riders—helmets required—are invited decorate “bikes, wagons, strollers and scooters” for a patriotic community ride that ends in Knight Park.
Tatem Shields American Legion Post 17 will be handing out free ice cream and flags at the Knight Park caretaker’s house.
At 2 p.m., children can proceed to Roberts Pool, which will be open for water games and activities. Pool tags or day passes required for admission.
Throughout the day, the Proud Neighbors of Collingswood will judge homes and businesses participating in its annual decorating contest.
Collingswood Cash, the borough town-wide gift certificate, will be awarded for the most creative, original, and “overall best look” properties, as well as those that show the most “appropriateness to architecture” and the “best historic home.” E-mail july4@proudneighborsofcollingswood.org to participate.
Finally, at 6:30 p.m., Collingswood High School opens its gates for its Fourth of July spectacular, punctuated by the band TO THE MAX at 8 p.m., and fireworks at 9:15. In the event of rain, fireworks are postponed until July 5.
Stadium seating will not be available for the show, so guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. As per usual, Knight Park will be closed to vehicle traffic.
Indian King Tavern. Credit: Friends of the Indian King.
Haddonfield
Yankee Doodle Do, the Haddonfield Fourth of July celebration, kicks off at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3.
Food trucks and children’s amusements will line Kings Highway until the fireworks begin at dusk.
Wristbands for kids’ rides are $20 at the event, $15 at the Haddonfield Public Library and Haddonfield Info Center, or online.
During the celebration, the Haddonfield Celebrations Committee also will sponsor an #ilove08033 social media photo contest.
The traditional borough Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, at the corner of King’s Highway and Chestnut Street, and ends in front of Haddonfield Memorial High School. Registration is 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Fourth of July in Haddon Heights. Credit: Katie Compton.
Haddon Heights
Independence Day in Haddon Heights kicks off at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, with the annual Firecracker 5K (registration deadline July 2 at 10 p.m.).
Then at 9 a.m., the borough parade heads out from Second Avenue, down Station Avenue, and around 10th Avenue to High Street.
A baby parade will run from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m. at Sycamore and Tenth Avenue, joining the full parade after.
A post-parade party in Hoff’s Park runs until 12, with face-painting, inflatables, and refreshments.
The event features string bands, floats, civic groups, antique cars, decorated bicycles and wagons, and pets. Rain date is Saturday, July 7.
Crystal Lake Pool in Haddon Township. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
Haddon Township
The annual Haddon Township fireworks display will be held at the Haddon Township High School football stadium on 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 3.
Guests will enjoy live music and inflatable bounce amusements; refreshments will be sold.
Fireworks begin at dusk; the rain date is Thursday, July 5.
At 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 4, Haddon Township will hold its annual Fourth of July parade, starting at the municipal building (135 Haddon Avenue) and ending at the Crystal Lake Pool. The best bands, floats, fire trucks, pets, and most patriotic bikes all will win prizes.
After the parade, the pool will be open to the public for free until 6 p.m. for water races, games, crafts, food, and entertainment. The first 750 guests will enjoy free hot dogs and soda. There is no rain date for the event.
Oaklyn Fourth of July 2018 details.
Oaklyn
The Oaklyn Civic Association will judge the most patriotic house in the borough at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3.
Oaklyn will celebrate the holiday with a parade at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4.
Participants will assemble at 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Oaklyn Manor Bar.
Bikes and strollers decorated in patriotic fashion will be rewarded.
The theme of the 2018 parade is “Oaklyn Public Schools: 90 Years of Marvelous Memories.”
For parade-goers with sensory issues, the festivities will feature a quiet zone from East Haddon to East Bettlewood Avenues.
Hot dogs and soda will be served at the Oaklyn Public School after the parade. Attendees are invited to bring food and monetary donations for the Oaklyn Food Bank.
Waterfront Freedom Festival. Credit: Camden County.
Camden County
The Fourth of July Freedom Festival is a free concert and fireworks celebration presented by the Camden County Freeholders, and held at Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden City.
At 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, the Tri-County Symphonic Band opens the celebration with a musical salute to veterans.
Later, musical acts The Spinners (6:30 p.m.) and Eddie Money (8 p.m.) will take the stage, followed by a fireworks show over the Delaware River at 9:30 p.m.
The event will also feature a beer garden provided by Tonewood Brewing.
