Milltown 4th of July

The beloved Milltown 4th of July celebration returns this year with an extra spark— literally! Since 1925, this cherished event has been a hallmark of summertime in the quaint borough of Milltown, New Jersey. In 2025, the celebration marks its 100th anniversary, and organizers are pulling out all the stops. This year raises the bar on fun, games, and spectacular entertainment. Even better, the centennial festivities come with a thrilling twist: a spot-on historical reenactment, complete with the roar of an authentic cannon fired throughout the day in celebration! If there was ever a year not to miss, this is it.

Every year, the Milltown 4th of July event draws a jaw-dropping crowd— far exceeding the borough’s population of 7,000. At its peak, nearly 20,000 people have flooded Downtown Milltown to experience the nostalgic charm and high-energy fun. In the early days, the promise of a show-stopping parade, delicious hot dogs, and an ice-cold beer was all it took to attract locals. Today, those same traditions remain strong, now modernized in the form of a dedicated beer garden for adults looking to enjoy a refreshing drink, plus picnic spots abound with mouth-watering offerings from an array of food vendors.

This year, the day kicks off bright and early with a 6am fishing derby organized by a local rescue squad. This is followed by two high-energy races hosted by Knights of Columbus, occurring near Bradford Park. Then, at 10am, witness one of the most prominent highlights of the day: the grand parade down Main Street! This year, it’s a vibrant procession of nearly 80 participating groups, complete with elaborate floats, upbeat marching bands, talented musicians, and far more. You’ll see the likes of local organizations, businesses, heroic veterans, and everything in between. The parade has also welcomed appearances by local government officials, various celebrities, and popular performers. To cap it all off, a lineup of fire trucks brings the parade to a dazzling close.

Activities for attendees span across all ages and interests. Kids love the massive rides and slides, which are conveniently free this year, thanks to an incredibly generous sponsorship from Infinite Medical Group. This year’s celebration is backed by nearly 70 local businesses and countless supportive residents whose names are honored on the backs of the event t-shirts. The consistent dedication of local sponsors paired with community support has been instrumental in developing the celebration into the epic event it is today.

In the past, children have enjoyed a wide variety of field games, plus the ever-popular patriotic bike decorating contest, where they can parade their creations in front of cheering crowds. For the adults, there have been competitive events like an apple pie baking contest, a pizza-eating contest by Maria’s Pizza, a duck race hosted by St. Paul’s Church, and a raffle with major prizes. When the sun sets, prepare to be dazzled by Milltown’s famous fireworks display— a brilliant show by Celebration Fireworks that lights up the sky. And just when you think the night is over, the Milltown team unleashes a massive “fire ball” explosion that illuminates the borough like never before! It’s a thrilling spectacle that has to be seen to be believed.

For the thousands who attend each year – both locals and visitors from all around the state – Milltown 4th of July is more than just a celebration. It’s a tradition, a reunion, and a heartfelt tribute to community spirit. For some committee members, planning this event has been a lifelong labor of love, driven by the unmatched joy it brings. Now, as Milltown celebrates 100 years of Independence Day magic, one thing is certain: this year’s event will be more explosive than ever. For further information and the latest updates, visit https://milltown4thofjuly.wordpress.com/.