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Cities and towns in the Asbury area are holding all the usual summertime activities to celebrate Independence Day, with fireworks going off in various towns beginning Thursday.

ASBURY PARK

Asbury Park’s Fourth of July fireworks display is scheduled for Friday, July 4 at 9 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for July 5.

This year’s show promises to be “bigger and brighter than ever before, with a wide array of colorful fireworks from New Jersey’s own pyrotechnic specialists, Garden State Fireworks,” according to a news release from master waterfront redeveloper iStar Residential.

The fireworks will be set off from three staging areas located on the First, Second, Third and Fourth avenue beaches.

Beachgoers will need to clear the beach by 6 p.m. on Friday for the fireworks to be set up.

The display is co-hosted by iStar Residential, boardwalk retail developer Madison Marquette and the City of Asbury Park.

“We are pleased and honored to once again be a part of Asbury Park’s Independence Day celebration,” said Brian Cheripka, iStar’s vice president of land.  “This event continues to reinforce our commitment to the Asbury Park community, and our partnerships with the City and Madison Marquette.  We all look forward to providing the local community and visitors with memorable, world-class experiences.”

OCEAN TOWNSHIP

The Independence Day Fireworks will be held on Thursday,  July 3, at Joe Palaia Park off of Whalepond Road. A rain date is scheduled for July 5.

Gates open at 6 p.m. for food and music. Spectators are asked to follow all established traffic patterns once they arrive on the fairground. Some side streets may have restricted parking; obey these temporary signs. As in previous years no pets are allowed on the fairgrounds during the event.

Any changes will be posted on the Ocean Township Police Twitter feed and sent out via Nixle notification.

OCEAN GROVE 

The borough is holding its annual Independence Day Parade at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4. It will include bands, floats, civic organizations and more. The parade begins on Whitefield Avenue, turns east along Main Avenue to Central Avenue, and turns north toward Ocean Pathway before heading eastward again and ending along Ocean Avenue.

BRADLEY BEACH

Bradley Beach will host its annual fireworks display at the beachfront on Saturday, July 5 at 9 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for Saturday, July 12.

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