BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- Due to COVID-19, the Bloomfield Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department has been forced to make adjustments to planned activities.
Following the guidance from CDC and state officials, the department has released the following updated information regarding their summer activities:
**Independence Day Celebration**
Bloomfield’s annual Independence Day celebration, originally scheduled for Saturday, July 4, at Foley Field, has been postponed. The new date is tentatively set for Saturday, September 12.
The Parks Department plans to provide entertainment, food, amusements, and fireworks, however, it must adhere to all state and local rules at the time of the scheduled event. More details will be released closer to the date.
“Throughout the year, we try our best to provide a multitude of fun activities for residents of all ages. Our Parks Department has done a great job putting together weekly drive-in movie nights, as well as hosting virtual summer fitness classes,” Mayor Michael Venezia said. “With the state slowly beginning to reopen, we hope that we will have more opportunities for recreation in the near future.”
**Summer Camps & Sports Clinics**
After reviewing the guidelines and requirements set by the Department of Children & Families, the CDC, and the NJ Department of Health, they have decided that the traditional full-day indoor summer camp program will not be possible this summer.
The Parks Department is aware that residents need viable options for socialization, recreational play, and general child supervision and its staff is working diligently on creating a combination of weekly sports clinics, in-person classes, and virtual programs during the summer.
These programs are attentively set to begin on Monday, July 6, and run through August 7. Guidelines set forth by the NJ Department of Health and the CDC will be followed to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants.
The goal is to finalize these programs soon and start registration on or about Wednesday, June 24. Visit the Parks Department website at www.bloomfieldrecreation.org or follow them on Facebook for the most up to date information.
“It is important that Bloomfield families have adequate recreational opportunities in spite of COVID-19,” Councilwoman Jenny Mundell said. “We will continue to do everything in our power to put on great activities for residents this summer and I look forward to being able to resume normal operations when the crisis is over.”
**Summer Concert Series**
In light of current conditions and executive orders, the traditional Summer Musical Concert Series has been shifted to a Drive-In Movie Series.
The Drive-In Movie Series will begin on Tuesday, June 16, and is currently scheduled to run into mid-July. Based on the overwhelmingly positive response the series will likely continue on Tuesday evenings through the end of July.
Pre-registration is required and will open for Bloomfield residents starting each Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. via the Community Pass registration portal that can be found at www.bloomfieldrecreation.org.
Due to social distancing guidelines and safety precautions, there will be a limited number of spaces available for each event.
Remaining Shows:
Tuesday, June 23 – Rocky – Bloomfield College, 235 Liberty Street
Tuesday, June 30 – The Lion King – Universal Technical Institute, 1515 Broad Street
Tuesday, July 7 – Lego Batman The Movie – Bloomfield College, 235 Liberty Street
Tuesday, July 14 – Spaceballs – Universal Technical Institute, 1515 Broad Street
None of this would be possible without community partners Universal Technical Institute as well as Shelbourne and Bloomfield College for allowing the township to use their parking lots for community events.
**Civic Band Concerts**
The Bloomfield Civic Band is tentatively scheduled to perform on the Historic Town Green on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. on July 6, 13, 20, and 27 as long as current executive orders allow.
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Please visit the Parks Department website at www.bloomfieldrecreation.org for more information on any of these events and to stay up to date with any changes that may occur.