How are you celebrating Independence Day 2012? July 4th, undoubtedly is the most patriotic celebration of the year no matter where you plant your sweet red, white & blue feet. A day when every American stops to celebrate their independence, appreciate their freedoms and display their admiration of the USA with fireworks, parades, BBQs, baseball, festivals, picnics, concerts, family & friends.

We’ve got your guide to all the best July 4th celebrations in NORTH DELAWARE starting Wed, July 4th thru the weekend. Boom, Boom, POW!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4TH

Wilmington

• Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park | 4:00 – 9:30pm | Fireworks Finale 9:45pm

Hosted by the City of Wilmington. The event  features family activities and games as well as a host of food vendors, including July 4th favorites— summertime beverages, ice cream, hard shell crabs by Captain Steve and BBQ by Fat Rick’s. Delaware Symphony Orchestra will perform a 75-minute grand finale concert with patriotic and seasonal musical selections. The Delaware Children’s Museum and the DuPont Environmental Education Center will both offer special programming on July 4, and the Riverfront Development Corporation will offer River Taxi rides from 2-5 p.m. for you for just $1. Stroll along the Riverfront and enjoy independence day specials at Harry’s Grill, Firestone, Iron Hill Brewery, Big Fish Grill. Rain date July 5th. More information visit the City of Wilmington’s site

• Fireworks Express |Wilmington & Western Railroad All aboard 7pm |

Park at the Greenbank Station and the train will take you directly into Hockessin for the July 4th Fireworks – it’s a fun, family event at an
affordable price. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the parking hassles in Hockessin, as the engineer will do the parking for you! Passengers are welcome to bring coolers, blankets and folding chairs aboard. Allow 4 hours for the train ride and fireworks show. This event is powered by one of the WWRR antique steam locomotives. Visit the Wilmington & Western Railroad site for more information or to purchase tickets. Reservations required.

Newark

• University of Delaware’s Athletic Complex | 6:00 – 10:30pm | Fireworks start at dusk 9:15pm-ish

Hosted by the City of Newark. Festivities include live music, arts and crafts booths, food, and games for the kids. Free parking will be available in the University of Delaware‘s Athletic Complex lots. Rain Date July 5th.  If the weather is questionable, please call the Leisure Time Hot Line at (302) 366-7147. More information visit the City of Newark’s site

Middletown

• Parade on Main Street 10am | Fireworks Celebration 6p-9p

The Middletown Jaycee’s 3rd Annual Independence Day 4th of July Parade down Main Street is Wednesday, July 4, at 10 a.m. The annual Fireworks display, sponsored by the Town of Middletown, will also be held on Wednesday, July 4, at dusk. Non-profit groups will be selling food and 4th of July novelties in Silver Lake Park from 6 to 9 p.m. Or, just bring your chairs and blankets and enjoy your own picnic basket.  For more information, call 378-2711.

FRIDAY, JULY 6TH

Wilmington

• Art on the Town Market Street Wilmington | 5:30pm – 8:00pm

  Visitors can check out participating studios, museums, alternative art spaces and galleries for free. A shuttle will be available to transport you around the Art Loop. The first Friday of every month includes a tour of local art galleries, museums and alternative art spaces as they host the opening receptions for the latest exhibitions in the greater Wilmington area. Meet the artists, purchase art and sample refreshments while mingling with other art lovers! Shuttle buses are provided to help travel the large loop! For more details and to download the monthly Art on the Town magazine please visit www.artloopwilmingtonde.com

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 7th & 8th

Elsmere

• Saturday  July 7th | Fairgrounds Park @ Filbert & Dover Ave | 4pm | Fireworks at dusk 9:15pm-ish

Hosted by the City of Elsmere. Festivities include an annual patriotic event filled with Fun, Music, Food and a Fireworks show at dusk. Get more details visit the Town of Elsmere’s website.

Wilmington

• Saturday, July 7th | Blue Rocks Frawley Stadium on the Riverfront | 7:05pm | Fireworks postgame

Eagles Pep Band, SWOOP & Cheerleaders Appearances | Football season may be a couple months away, but Frawley Stadium will be ready for some football on July 7!  The Philadelphia Eagles Pep Band will get you into the football spirit with their performance on Philadelphia Eagles Night!  Come out to see Eagles’ Mascot SWOOP & the Eagles Cheerleaders too! A very special Saturday Night Postgame Fireworks Show! Blue Rocks Baseball = AffordaFUNability!

• Saturday, July 7th | The Romantics at the Queen Theatre Downstairs | 8pm

The romantics formally became a band on Valentine’s Day, 1977. Bred on the mean streets of Detroit’s east side, they were inspired by the British punk
invasion and their hometown rock scene. Nearly 30 years later they are still known for having created some of the most influential and beloved rock and roll  of all time. The Romantics cut their teeth on the Detroit sound characterized by the MC5, the Stooges, Bob Seger and the Last Heard, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, the Rationals, SRC, the Underdogs, and infused it with sincerity, irony, spontaneity and, of course, volume. They favored short hair, short songs and red leather suits. Their musical credo, then and now, was  a simple, joyful affirmation, epitomized by the “Hey!…uh-huh!” intro to “What I Like About You,” the unforgettable, high-energy track that still exists precisely in the moment, without before or after. For tickets, visit World Cafe Live at The Queen.

• Sat July 7th & Sun July 8th | Ice Cream Festival Rockwood Park | 11am – 5pm & After party

Delaware’s longest running family picnic(since 1979) makes its triumphant return this Fourth of July Weekend. Experience family fun for children of all ages at the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Festival at Rockwood. Featuring vendors, live music, local restaurants, eco-crafters and local creameries serving the region’s best ice creams, you won’t want to miss this! Adults: $5 · Children 12 and Under: $1 (Includes FREE Scoop!) Tickets at the Gate Only. B.Y.O.B. BRING YOUR OWN BLANKET. For more information visit www.rockwoodicecream.com Then pop on over to The Queen Upstairs Live for the official after party show with Travel Songs, Me & This Army and The Way Home. For more info on the after party visit the Queen.

 

If we’ve missed a July 4th event, please let us know!

Send email to [email protected]