With marching bands, floats, community groups, civic organizations, local politicians, businesses and thousands of onlookers, Ocean Grove’s annual Independence Day Parade will kick off Sat., July 4, at 10:30 a.m.
The parade begins on Whitefield Avenue and turns east along Main Avenue to Central Avenue; then turns north towards Ocean Pathway, then east again ending along Ocean Avenue.
Among this year’s musical participants are: the Monmouth County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch, the Ocean Grove Summer Band, the Neptune High School Marching Band and the Clown Band.
The 2015 parade Grand Marshal is Harry D. Eichhorn, the long-time director of the Ocean Grove Summer Band.
On Thurs., July 2, the Great Auditorium will kick off the holiday week with its “Summer Stars” classical music series, featuring the Imperial Brass with special guest Phil Smith (former Principal Trumpet, New York Philharmonic) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $16. Order tickets by telephone at 800-590-4064 or online at www.oceangrove.org.
On Saturday, July 4, at noon, organist-in-resident Gordon Turk will perform a free Independence Day concert, “Holiday Pipes and Pedals,” on the Great Auditorium pipe organ.
The Ocean Grove Summer Band will cap off the evening with a free patriotic concert, “Happy Birthday, America,” at 8 p.m. in the Great Auditorium.
More information is available at website www.oceangrove.org or telephone 732-775-0035.
Featured photo: Scene from last year’s parade. Coaster photo.
