4th of July: Ridgewood to Commemorate Star Spangled Banner's 200th Birthday

With less than two weeks until the nation's birthday, Ridgewood is gearing up to celebrate. A local group organizing the festivities recently released news about how.

Star Spangled Banner Celebration

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee is proud to announce their theme for the 2014 celebration. The theme will be “The Star Spangled Banner, 1814 - 2014”. The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee will sponsor its annual celebration on Friday, July 4, 2014.

The purpose of the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is to celebrate the USA and its history and to honor American Patriots of all times. For 2014, we would like to focus on our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner. We will celebrate the people and events involved with creating this important American song.

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc., an all-volunteer community group. All aspects of this annual Celebration including fireworks, bands, evening performers, insurance, and police and fire personnel are funded by voluntary contributions from businesses and individuals.

This year we’re excited to announce that The Ridgewood Historical Society in their Schoolhouse Museum has a copy on display of a beautiful Currier and Ives print entitled “The Star Spangles Banner.” 

Lady Liberty crowned with an American crest bears the American flag as she points forward to victory. The fires of the battle burn in the distance -- presumably the defense of Fort McHenry by American forces during the British attack on September 13, 1814 (in the War of 1812) that inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner. Several phrases from the song The Star Spangled Banner serve as the title printed in the lower margin: "O! long may it wave,/ O'er the land of the free,/ And the home of the brave."

Part of the mission of the Ridgewood Historical Society, which operates the Schoolhouse Museum, is to design exhibits using artifacts that tell the stories about our history, culture, and the lives of ordinary people from Ridgewood and the surrounding area from the 18th through the 20th century. The current exhibit, A Community’s Journey, celebrates New Jersey’s 350th anniversary using the themes of diversity, innovation, and liberty. Highlighted in this exhibit is the museum’s collection of U.S. flags, a fitting complement to this years’ July 4th festivities.

The Schoolhouse Museum located at 650 E. Glen Ave, Ridgewood, is open this summer on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 to 3 and Sundays 2 to 4.  

Annual Fireworks Display

The following was submitted to Patch by the Fourth of July Celebration Committee.

July 4th in Ridgewood is a very special day that our entire area looks forward to all year. 

While the Parade is free, Fireworks Tickets are required for entrance to Veteran's Field. Fireworks Ticket sales are one of the Celebration's largest sources of income. Tickets are available for advance purchase at stores for $8. Tickets will be on sale at the gates for $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12. Buy your tickets in advance for big savings! Children 5 and under are admitted for free.

Evening Activities and Fireworks Tickets
Friday, July 4th, 2014
Alternate Date - Saturday, July 5th
Veteran's Field, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey
Entrance gates open at 6 p.m. and close at 9 p.m.

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee thanks the following volunteer ticket sellers:

1. Backyard Living- 235 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-689-9111

Tickets will also be available at the Ridgewood Library- Monday, June 23 - Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, June 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. We thank the Hobbyist and HILT for volunteering to help us sell tickets.

Additional information and answers to many of your questions can be found on the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration’s website at www.ridgewoodjuly4th.com.