Jersey Shore Prepares for 51st Annual Town Meeting Celebration

It’s that time of the year again… time for the residents of Jersey Shore and those who come from surrounding areas to stand in line for a big bag of cactus taters and a Gunzy’s hot sausage.

This year the celebration, located at the Town Meeting Grounds on Thompson Street, runs from Monday, July 4 until Saturday, July 9. The grounds packed with amusement rides by Sunshine Amusements and food vendors open each evening at 6 p.m.

There will be special arm band nights on Tuesday and Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Advance ride tickets will be available until noon on July 4. The tickets can be purchased at various businesses around town or by contacting C.F. Edwards at 753-3616 or Mary at 279-2398.

The Grand Parade begins Thursday, July 7 at 6:15 p.m. on Allegheny Street. Riding in the parade along with fire trucks, tractors, and classic cars will be the Queen Tiadaghton candidates, Baby Sweetheart finalists and the 2011 Town Crier.

The celebration will close Saturday, July 9 at 9:45 p.m. with a fireworks display best seen from the celebration field.

The schedule of events follows:
Sunday, July 3
7 p.m. - Evensong Vespers, Jersey Shore Town Meeting Grounds at the Stage, held rain or shine.

Monday, July 4
10 a.m. - Tiadaghton Elm Ceremony   
-Location: Jersey Shore Town Meeting Grounds at the Stage (Rain or Shine)
5:45 p.m. - Ribbon Cutting/Opening of Celebration Field
6-7 p.m. - Entertainment by Fairplay Brass Band
7-10 p.m. - Entertainment by Big Al&The Loozers

Tuesday, July 5
6-10 p.m. - Entertainment by Stained Grass Windows

Wednesday, July 6
5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.- Lewis and Clark Circus at the Shore Elementary School Grounds on Locust Street
6-10 p.m. - Entertainment by The Corral

Thursday, July 7
6:15-8 p.m. - GRAND PARADE –Runs Allegheny, Broad, and Thompson Streets
7:30-8 p.m. - Baby Sweetheart Contest
8-8:30 p.m. - Crowning of the Queen Tiadaghton
8:30-10 p.m. - Entertainment by Steve Hunter’s Remember- A Music Walk Thru Time

Friday, July 8
6-10 p.m. - Entertainment by the Johnny Jolin Band
(6:15 p.m. - Parade Rain Date)

Saturday, July 9
9 a.m. - YMCA 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament (contact the YMCA for participation information 398-2150)
6-10 p.m. - Entertainment by Coffee Run
9:45 p.m. - FIREWORKS SHOW

Why is the 4th of July significant to Jersey Shore?
On July 4, 1776, The Fair Play Men, a group of settlers who had their own form of government, met under the “Tiadaghton Elm” and drew up a resolution declaring independence from Great Britain. The signing of the Tiadaghton Declaration of Independence was signed on the same day the US Declaration of Independence was ratified. Although the Tiadaghton Elm was dead by 1975, ceremonies are still held in its honor each year.