Brookside is a lively destination on the 4th of July, beginning with the Parade, itself, a traditional, hometown parade in its 79th year.  The Parade and other festivities are presented by the Brookside Community Club’s 4th of July Parade Committee, and are funded by the Club, Mendham Township, and donors like you who support this wonderful celebration.

 

Our celebration begins with the presentation of colors by the Boy and Girl Scouts.  This year, the community will be led in singing the National Anthem by the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts with Nadine Jacobson, followed by the invocation to be given by Rev. Joel Biggers of the Brookside Community Church.  The Parade steps off at 9 a.m., led by our Grand Marshal, Richard Brusco, followed by our Community Service Award winner, Fr. Mike Drury.

 

Don’t forget that you can drop by the brightly striped tent at the Community Club to pick up breakfast – doughnuts and coffee or your choice of soft drinks or water.  You can also check out the entries in the Second Annual Float Design Contest in the Community Club itself.  And keep listening to the commentary provided by our announcers, Joe Arwady, John Mills, and Evan “Buzzy” Thomas. 

 

This year they’ll be talking about Dr. Constantino, Superintendent of schools in Mendham Township, members of the Board of Education, the Township Committee, and other public officials.  Do you think they might poke fun at anyone?  I do, too!

 

Fire trucks from most towns in the area will be coming down Main Street, along with the pooch parade, some antique cars, and a variety of civic groups and entertainers – including bands sponsored through the Parade Committee.  These include some perennial favorites, like the Texas Swing Band, whose name says it all, and The Hollow, with Brian Wilson.  Rory O’Moore’s Bag Pipes and Drums will once again walk in the parade, along with the Colonial Musketeers, whose appearance is sure to delight lovers of fife and drums! 

 

Everyone looks forward to the return of the West Morris Community Band, people who play music for the love of it, Bud Ayers’ toe-tapping Dixieland Jazz Band, and the Country Cousins singing their country hearts out with a mix of new and old favorites.  Of course, no celebration is complete without Rob Trout and the Flounders playing the hits, Bill Kelly singing Southern Rock and Bluegrass, and the rock and roll hits flowing from both the Concrete Donkeys with Glenn Roberts (who will go on to play a concert at Brookside Beach from noon to 2), and Nancy Kappel and Water Street.

 

Next, lunch is served by the Rotary Club of the Mendhams.  Have a burger and enjoy good company with a refreshing drink provided by Brookside Engine Co. No. 1 on the Community Club field, while your kids enjoy old-time games and new-fangled activities.

 

After spending the afternoon at Brookside Beach, round off your day with Bingo at the Community Club.  The festivities will be hosted by the Eskeland family for the first time!  This is a standing room only event, so get there a little early or bring your own chair.  It’s loads of fun, there are great prizes, and you can take home a great reminder of the fact that

 

 

 

..in Brookside, 4th of July, 2014!