Get In The (American) Spirit

Don't be startled by the sound of gunfire on Monday morning. It's just a signal for the start of Chatham Borough's Fourth of July festivities.

The borough's fire department holds its 57th annual Fourth of July Parade beginning at about 10:30 a.m. Monday. The parade route begins at the intersection of Main Street and Hillside Avenue, travels west down Main Street and ends at Chatham Middle School.

“More than 50 groups are marching in the parade this year,” said Lt. Steve Williams, member of the Chatham Borough Fire Department and the parade committee’s vice-chairman. “This is more significant than previous years, and people are still calling to march in the parade.”

The parade will be led by Grand Marshal John Clark, a borough firefighter and Vietnam Veteran.

The end of the parade does not signal the end of festivities. The fire department will also hold a cook-out at Chatham Middle School with live performances and entertainment, all leading up to the fireworks show Monday evening.

The Chatham Borough Fire Department already distributed fireworks tickets to Chatham Borough residents only, during their annual fund mailing drive. Tickets cost $3 for a single or $5 for a family at the gate. Proceeds benefit the Chatham Borough Fire Department.

The parade goes on be it (moderate) rain or shine, but if it's the former, the fireworks show will be held on the July 5 rain date.

Here are other events happening in Chatham this weekend:

Saturday, July 2

• Chatham Borough Farmer’s Market “Red, White, and Blueberry Day”, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Chatham Train Station. An abundance of blueberries means lower prices, plus recipe ideas at the Farmer’s Market Community Table. Also attending this week's market are the following special features:

• Ms. Sarah’s Story Time, new this week, begins at 10:30 a.m. for 30 minutes on the grass by the red shed.
• Flats for Feathered Friends. Chatham resident Joe LaGregor sells unique, handmade birdhouses made from recycled materials.
• Councilwoman Vicki Fife and Cathy Maloney will sign people up at their booth for the Healthy Lifestyles Challenge starting July 9, part of the Mayor's Wellness Campaign.

Monday, July 4

• Gun Salute and Inspection of the , 8 a.m.. Mayor Nelson Vaughan and members of the Chatham Borough Council perform their annual inspection of the fire house before the parade.
• 57th Annual Fourth of July Parade, approximately 10:30 a.m. Begins at Hillside Avenue and Main Street and moves west. Make sure you park your car off of Main Street, and if you plan to leave town, find detours to your location that do not intersect the parade route.
• Fireworks show, dusk, . Tickets for the show are available at the gate.

Additional Reporting by Carl Leysa.