Washington will Celebrate America this year! The Washington Celebrates America committee is elated to announce that its annual July 4th town-wide celebration is back—the parade, fireworks and even the Orange Crate Derby are all going to happen.

“It was a long year but we are ready to roll again,” exclaimed Richard Maguire, Chair of the WCA committee. The celebration was cancelled last year due to COVID-19.

Bredin Named Marshal

Longtime resident and area volunteer Marian Bredin has been named the Marshal of this year’s parade.

The Washington Celebrates America committee chooses a resident each year that has a history of volunteerism and service to the community to honor as its Grand Marshal.

“Marian is a great choice,” Maguire said. “Her dedication to the community is second to none. She was the committees’s clear pick this year.”

In addition to be a volunteer on many fronts, Bredin, a Warren County Hall of Famer, owned one of the Borough’s most respected businesses for many years, Good Impressions (which was sold earlier this year). Bredin was also the editor of the highly respected community newsletter, The Messenger.  She was named Business Person of the Year by the Washington Business Improvement District (WBID), the Hackettstown Area Chamber, and the Warren County Chamber and Quick Printer of the Year by the National Association of Quick Printers. With the WBID, she was one of the business organization’s founding members.

Bredin has belonged to the Hackettstown Rotary Club since 1985, serving a year as Secretary and for a number of years as Chair of the Scholarship Committee and participated in many community service projects such as food drives and cleanups at Camp Merryheart.

The old-fashioned parade steps off at 3 p.m. and runs along Belvidere Avenue and Broad Street. The day culminates with fireworks at dusk by the middle school football field. 

Orange Crate Derby Info Session June 1

When the Washington Celebrates America activities take place on July 4, it will also mark the return of the Orange Crate Derby.

After a two-year hiatus, youngsters will once again be racing down Broad Street in the morning. For parents interested in how to help their children build a “racecar,” the New Jersey School of Woodwork will be holding a free informational event on Tuesday, June 1, starting at 6 p.m.

“This session is really just to inform parents what is involved in the building process and what the associated costs are,” notes Scott Severens, owner of the school. He will then offer a “build class” for a limited number who may be interested in taking on this project.

To register for the derby itself, or to learn more about the Washington Celebrates America events, go to the Washington Celebrates America Facebook page, or pick up a form at the WBID office, 21 Belvidere Avenue, Washington.

To learn more about the N.J. School of Woodwork session, visit its Facebook page, email Scott@NJSOW.com, or call 908-303-6648. The school is located at 37 E. Washington Avenue (Route 57), behind Get A Grip.

For more information about Washington Celebrates America check out its Facebook page.