Local Fourth of July Celebrations

America’s birthday party gets underway this weekend. While the Fourth of July is Monday, there are plenty of opportunities to catch some fireworks and enjoy various patriotic festivities all weekend long.

Here are a few options for celebrating Independence Day locally this long weekend:

FRIDAY

• Get your long weekend off to a patriotic start with fireworks over the Delaware River. The fireworks can be seen from both Lambertville and New Hope and begin at about 9:30 p.m. The fireworks over the river take place every Friday through Labor Day.

SATURDAY

• Newtown’s First Fourth celebration begins Saturday morning with the second annual Run Over Cancer 5K race at 9 a.m. at Newtown Middle School. At 3 p.m., a parade begins near Old St. Andrew’s Church and will head down Sycamore Street to the Green Parrot. After the parade, the festivities continue at Newtown Middle School, where a block party begins at 4 p.m. At 9:15 p.m., there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence, which will be followed by fireworks. Parking for the fireworks is $5.

• Lower Southampton Township is hosting a fireworks display at the Dolphin Swim Club, 260 West Bristol Rd in Feasterville. The festivities begin at 4 p.m. and the fireworks begin at dusk. There will be a band, disc jockey, food, rides, and games. The fee is $10 per car or $5 person. Proceeds benefit the Lower Southampton Athletic Association. The raindate is July 9.

• Peddler’s Village is holding its 8th Annual Celebration of Freedom on Saturday. The festivities kick off at 4 p.m. with live entertainment. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

SUNDAY

• Sesame Place is hosting a Fourth of July barbeque and fireworks show both Sunday and Monday.  The barbeque is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. both days. The cost is $24.95 plus tax for adults and $16.95 for children ages 2 to 11. (Park admission ticket is required.) Infants under 2 are free but require a reservation. Dinner includes an all-you-can-eat buffet of barbeque chicken, smoked beef brisket, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, salad, rolls, beverages, and desserts.  After dinner, there will be a fireworks show beginning at approximately 8:45 p.m. For more information, visit www.sesameplace.com.

MONDAY

• Monday is a big day at the annual Southampton Days celebration in Upper Southampton Township. The Fourth of July festivities kick off at 8:30 a.m. with the forming of the baby parade at Firstrust Bank. At 9:30 a.m., the rest of the parade forms and proceeds north on Second Street Pike to Klinger Middle School. After the parade, the festivities continue with rides, food, music, games, crafts, and more. The fireworks show begins at about 9:30 p.m. After 6 p.m., admission is $3 per person; children under 3 are free.

• Fonthill Castle will host an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday. The celebration will feature food, entertainment, games, and more. Try your hand at old-time games like tug-o-war, watermelon eating, town ball (19th century baseball) and more. The children's decorated bike parade takes place at 12:30 p.m.  For more information, visit www.mercermuseum.org.

• Feeling active? The 31st Annual Revolutionary Run will take place at Washington Crossing Historic Park Monday morning. Race-day registration is from 6 to 7:45 a.m. The one-mile fun run begins at 8 a.m., the 5K begins at 8:15 a.m., and the 10K begins at 8:30 a.m.  For more information, visit www.umbarevrun.com.

• Lower Southampton is hosting a parade beginning at Second Street and Bustleton Pike and ending at the Township Building on Desire Ave. The rain date is July 9.

• Then head into Philadelphia for some breathtaking fireworks and live music. The Wawa Welcome America festival features a fireworks show beginning at around 11 p.m. following the Fourth of July Jam. The Roots will headline the Jam, which starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.welcomeamerica.com.