An Old Fashioned Town Celebration Planned for Independence Day

The citizens of Blairstown are organizing a traditional Fourth of sam on stilts July Celebration to honor the self evident truths upon which this nation was founded.

"We want to celebrate life, and liberty and definitely pursue happiness and good old fashioned fun," said event organizer, Paul Avery.

"We want to bring families and friends together to have a wonderful time enjoying games, contests, music, food and to celebrate how lucky we are that so many brave men and women sacrificed so we can be free and have the opportunities we have today."

Honoring Our Soldiers

A number of activities will be honoring the men and women in our armed forces. The 2K Walk for the Troops beginning at Blair Academy and finishing at Footbridge Park will raise money for the Cell Phones For Soldiers program. This program collects donated old cell phones and recycles them to purchase phone cards for troops to use to keep in touch with their families when they are stationed overseas and at remote locations.

Information specialists from the Army and Air Force will be at information booths with equipment and simulators. to demonstrate the technology and opportunities available in the modern armed services.

Contests and Games Planned

Of course, there will be an abundance of traditional games and activities to entertain families.

Here are just some of the events and activities already in the works:

Patriotic Musical Opening Ceremonies
Barber Shop Quartet
Dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence
Brass Band
Pony Rides
Dunk Tank
Bouncing Castle
Face Painting
RC Cars, Trucks and Helicopters
Pie Baking Contest
Frog Jumping Contest
Henna Tattoos
Photo Booth
Blacksmith
Local Artist's Displays
Local Author Book Signings
Sack Races
Antique Autos
Motorcycle Display
Fire Engine Display
Glider Display
Bluegrass Band

There will also be numerous food and crafts booths by Community organizations and commercial vendors.

Miss Liberty Belle Pageant and, beginning this year, the Jr. Miss Liberty Belle

Young ladies between the ages of 13 and 16, and younger ladies between the ages of 9 and 12 years old, are invited to compete in Blairstown's annual Miss Liberty Belle pageant. Contestants can be legal residents of Blairstown, Knowlton, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick, Hope and Columbia or be enrolled in North Warren Regional High or Blair Academy.

Contestants will face a panel of three judges during the Pageant. and the winner will be announced at the close of the event. Miss Liberty Belle 2012 assisted by Jr. Miss Liberty Belle, will reign over the Blairstown Independence Day Festival. More than just a beauty pageant, Blairstown's Miss Liberty Belle Pageant will celebrate the poise and patriotism of young ladies from New Jersey's Skylands.

The winners will receive a beautiful crystal crown, satin sash, floral bouquet and prizes to be announced.

For more information on entering and competition criteria visit our Miss Liberty Belle Miss Liberty Belle page.

We are looking for all of our neighbors to join us at Footbridge Park. The Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and will feature fun and events until 5:30 p.m.

The Blairstown Rotary then presents a traditional fireworks display at Sycamore Park approximately one mile west and adjacent to the Blairstown Airport.