| Poster contributed
JERSEY CITY — Jersey City’s Independence Day celebration has become a premier daylong event, attracting A-list talent since Mayor Steven M. Fulop resurrected the event and grew it into one of the largest festivals in the region, drawing crowds of nearly 150,000 people from all over the tri-state area.
This year, Flo Rida will headline the event with special guests Shaquille O’Neal, aka DJ Diesel, and Funk Flex doing the opening performances. They will each DJ their own sets.
“Jersey City has transformed over our term to be one of the best renaissance stories in the country, and we strive to deliver the best product in everything we do with July 4th being another example,” said Mayor Fulop. “Jersey City residents deserve the best, and we have taken the opportunity to deliver a free day of fun for families that may not have the means to pay for these types of events.”
In recent years, Jersey City’s July fourth festivals have featured superstar talent headlining the music festival on stage, including the Village People (2016), Jersey City’s own Kool and the Gang (2017), Snoop Dogg (2018), Pitbull (2019), and local native Akon (2018 & 2019).
“We are excited to host this annual event on our waterfront to celebrate such an important day in our nation’s history by bringing the community together for fun, food, and entertainment,” said Elizabeth Cain, Executive Director of the Exchange Place Alliance. “Thank you to DEG Presents for helping us bring such talented artists to the stage for a memorable concert that will keep people on their feet dancing all night long.”
Following the world-class music performances live from the stage, fireworks will illuminate the Jersey City sky with the unparalleled backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. Jersey City’s fireworks – conducted by Guinness World Record holder, Fireworks by Grucci – will be launching from two barges in the middle of the Hudson River with a large viewing area this year. Spectators can watch the fireworks show along the Hudson River Walkway, from the north field at Liberty State Park and most overlook areas in The Heights.
Fireworks by Grucci is a sixth-generation, family-owned, and operated fireworks company that has developed a prominent reputation, having performed at eight U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, Olympic Games, World’s Fairs, and earning the Guinness World Record for “largest fireworks display” ever recorded.
While there are no more extended limits for outdoor gatherings, the City invites residents and visitors to watch the fireworks along the waterfront while maintaining all safety protocols necessary.
Anyone attending the event is strongly encouraged to arrive by foot, bike, or public transportation, as parking will be extremely limited. According to the Mayor’s Office, roads surrounding Montgomery Street will be closed for the duration of the event. Bike JC will also host a free bicycle valet at Exchange Plaza.
For more information on the event, transportation, directions, and what to bring, please visit www.jcnj.org
–With Ricky Rillera/PDM.
