Boro will be jammin' this Fourth of July
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

MILLTOWN - Along with the usual American pride, the town's Fourth of July extravaganza this year will also pay homage to the Caribbean.

With musicians and performers on hand to invoke an island flair, the theme will add a unique flavor to the annual celebration.

"It's a little bit of a twist on the traditional fireworks," said Randy Farkas, councilman and Fourth of July Committee chairman. "It's a very patriotic day, and we're so red, white and blue. ... We try to mix it up a little bit."

As part of the theme, daytime festivities will include steel pan drummers and limbo dancers, with a few moko jumbies thrown in to keep things interesting.

"Basically, what they are, are performers in costume on stilts," Farkas said. "They're spectacular."

Of course, the usual fare locals have come to expect of Milltown's large-scale Independence Day celebration will be available too. The parade will run from 10 a.m. to noon, with face painters and clowns on hand for the kids.

The parade's grand marshal this year is Carl M. Hermann, a lifelong Milltown resident who has given 60 years of volunteer work to the town.

"[He's] just such an amazing man," Farkas said. "Certainly, honoring someone one day for 60 years of service is like a drop in the ocean, but he certainly deserves it."

Carnival rides will be set up, and those who are interested should come hungry for the fourth annual hot-dog-eating contest.

For those who are not up to the challenge of eating multiple dogs in one sitting, the borough will give away its customary free hot dogs and sodas to all in attendance. Farkas said they give away about 600 pounds of hot dogs each year.

"The free hot dogs and the sodas are a tradition that goes back about 50-something years," Farkas said.

In the evening, Jimmy and the Parrots will play Caribbean rhythms, along with favorites from Jimmy Buffett. The concert begins at 7:15 p.m. Fireworks will follow immediately after, around 9:30.

Local musician and composer Chris Wylde will play his original stylings on the organ to accompany the colors lighting up the night sky.

For early risers, a fishing derby at Mill Pond, sponsored by the first aid, will begin at 6 a.m. The Milltown Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a fun run at 7:30 a.m., then a 5K race at 8:10 a.m.

"There's really something for everyone," Farkas said. "It's a great day, it really is. It's really the day Milltown shines."