BLAIRSTOWN 4TH OF JULY

10:30-4:30 • Footbridge Park, Blairstown, NJ

Everyone has their favorite or traditional way of celebrating the Independence of our nation. For many years of my youth, it would be split between Ithaca, NY, with family and friends watching the grand reworks display or standing along the Hudson watching the Grucci brothers do their best. Most small towns have parades and festivities with games to entertain young and old, carnival food and just a general happiness in the air.

Last year was a wash, so this year most of those venues will bring out the big guns to make up for lost time. In our neck of the woods, we’ve been heading to Footbridge Park in Blairstown, NJ, for our celebration. They have been holding their fourth of July shindigs long before we were in the area and have it down to an art.

Each year Blairstown celebrates Independence Day with a terri c line-up of festivities. An entire day is lled with American spirit and pride at Footbridge Park, located between the Paulinskill Valley Trail and Route 94. Festivities begin at 10:30 am and include family-friendly contests, children’s activities, delicious food, amazing vendors, and exhibits by community service groups.

After taking a year off the July 4 Duck Race sponsored by Blairstown Rotary is back by popular demand. This year the grand prize has been increased to $3,000 and the primary recipient of the proceeds will be Blairstown Hose Company. Tickets are on sale now or may be purchased at the celebration before the race. The race is 3:00-4:00 pm. In 2019 Brian was, sort of, goaded into entering the pie-eating contest. He decided to make the move after eating a lunch of sausage and peppers. Apparently the reigning champ was a local young buck but Brian had some tricks up his sleeve. With pie in hand and garbage bag in place as a protective apron, our hero soldiered on and, when time was called, he had triumphed. His prize? A snazzy blue ribbon and, of course, a cherry pie. Total entertainment for young and old and some great blackmailing pictures for future use. Another very amusing game is the frog race. There are buckets of frogs from which you may choose and, as the ag drops, the frogs are let loose by their handlers. Mayhem ensues and laughter is had by all. There is a good array of food available as well as varied vendors. Our good friends from Paulinskill Photography, Ami and Jim, have their marvelous images for sale and there are other products to peruse. Live music by some very talented folks will have you dancing and there is plenty of lawn space should a nap be in order. This year’s reworks display, also sponsored by the Blairstown Rotary, will go off JULY 5, 8:30-10:00 pm, at North Warren Regional High School. If you don’t have your own small town Fourth to attend, take a spin to Blairstown. The riding is great, the celebration is patriotic and you may even see Brian defending his title. ,