By: Najla Alexander
Oh wow, RLS Metro Breaking News family, this heatwave has truly been a scorcher! I hope you stayed cool this Fourth of July weekend while you enjoyed the fireworks! It’s Najla here, and it’s definitely time to hit the beach.
While you aren’t dipping your toes in the water after lying all day in the sand, getting your tan on, there was a chance for Carteret residents to have some fun and even watch some of the FIFA World Cup while enjoying some tasty food and nice music.
On July 3, according to officials, New Jersey’s most popular Independence Day Festival returned from 6 p.m. to midnight to Carteret Civic Center Park, 100 Cooke Ave., Carteret, NJ, in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Of course, for fans beforehand, at 2 p.m., they were able to enjoy the Round of 32 World Cup match featuring Australia vs. Egypt on their impressive 321-inch display set up in Civic Center Park.
“Watching the game, live music, and food all before fireworks…that is what today is all about. Celebrating America together through the simple things,” a community member exclaimed.
This year, the crowd was so big that Carteret provided a free shuttle bus service. The bus took you to and from the event, departing from Carteret Middle School on Carteret Avenue and Minue School on Post Boulevard at 5 p.m., with the last drop-off at midnight.
Presented by the Honorable Mayor Daniel J. Reiman, the Borough Council, and Carteret Business Partnership, the free fest was headlined by country star Walker Hayes, who took the stage by storm a little bit after 9 due to literal thunderstorms shaking up Carteret. But the rain never stops this community from showing up!
Hayes live performance featured his country chart-topping hits “Fancy Like,” “AA,” “Y’all Life,” and the new “17 Year Old Problems,” Carteret officials say.
“Honestly, not a big country music fan, but his music has me moving,” an eccentric lady explained as she danced the night away.
This amazing family-friendly event also featured all the things a great festival would have, from rides and games to food trucks and so many vendors offering cool things. Then, of course, the DJ played great hits all night, and for the adults, there was a beer-and-sangria garden.
A spectacular fireworks celebration lit up the sky later than usual, unfortunately, due to the rain, but they were still able to usher in America’s 250th birthday nonetheless. No matter what anyone was doing, they stopped to watch the fireworks and hugged whoever was next to them more closely, not thinking about the world in that moment, just being present.
“For many, many years, Carteret Independence Day Festival has brought our culturally diverse community together with visitors from surrounding towns,” the Honorable Mayor Reiman said.
“But this year, we are especially excited to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with the great Walker Hayes, as well as the most spectacular fireworks display you could hope to see. We look forward to seeing you in Carteret and celebrating this special holiday.”
This year, I will have to say was one like no other. So many people from other communities came to show their support, not to mention another amazing fireworks display I can see right from my bedroom window. Carteret truly showed out to celebrate America’s birthday this year!