Sparta Celebrates Fourth of July with Annual Parade and Fireworks Display

SPARTA, NJ – A steady rain on July 4 did not put a damper on the festivities as people poured into the Lake Mohawk Plaza and adjacent areas to watch the annual Fourth of July Parade.

The parade is an annual tradition in Sparta coordinated by the Sparta Elks. This year the Parade Grand Marshal was Bill Curcio. Curcio and his family waved at the spectators, dressed in patriotic gear and riding atop a propane powered Eastern Propane truck, their enthusiasm for the event not dimmed by the weather.

Sparta Elks carrying the banner leading the Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Grand Marshal Bill Curcio waves to spectators. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Sussex Elks in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Sparta’s Mayor Jerry Murphy, Lake Mohawk Trustees, local scouts, Sparta Historical Society, Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks and the Lake Mohawk Yacht Club were others who marched or traveled in the parade via floats.

Mayor Jerry Murphy in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Councilman Gil Gibbs tosses out candy to kids at the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Lake Mohawk Trustees toss out candy to eager kids on the sidelines. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Skylands Kings in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The Sparta Historical Society. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Members of the military who marched or rode in the parade were greeted with cheers from members of the crowd who were guarded with umbrellas or rain gear.

Sign for the Sparta VFW. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

A military jeep in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Batman, Batgirl and the Batmobile were other highlights of the parade, with Batman stopping to pose with one boy who he showed his vehicle to.

Batman making his way through the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The Batmobile lights shine through the rain. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Batman stops to pose for photos with a young spectator. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

OSCAR (One Step Closer Animal Rescue) walked with the dogs up for adoption and also had their rescue van riding in the parade.

One Step Closer Animal Rescue (OSCAR) in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Local beauty queens and the Queen of the Fair also waved to the crowd with beaming smiles in the midst of the raindrops.

Miss Andover in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The Queen of the Fair waves to parade attendees in between raindrops. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

Fire departments including Sparta, Andover Township, Hopatcong and Fredon blared their sirens and marched or rode in the firetrucks. Local first aid squads including Sparta, Fredon and Lakeland also marched and rode along.

The Sparta Fire Department in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

One of Sparta’s engines in the parade, lights shining and sirens blaring. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The Sparta First Aid Squad. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The Sparta High School Marching Band was spirited in the rain, setting the pace to the parade with music as the drops fells.

The Sparta High School Marching Band. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The parade finished off with an array of antique tractors that made their way through the plaza.

One of the tractors towing along sponsors in a line of carts. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

At the conclusion of the parade, the Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks performed in their annual show.

The Lake Mohawk Ski Hawks in the parade before their show. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

A boat towed through the parade for the Ski Hawks. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.

The weather cleared for the annual fireworks display over the lake in the evening hours.

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