Communities throughout Essex County yesterday showed patriotic spirit with parades, contests and, of course, fireworks to celebrate the nation’s birthday. 

And for those who missed out on a fireworks show -- or who just need one more fix of some rockets’ red glare -- there’s another incendiary display scheduled tonight at Bloomfield’s Foley Field. Gates open at 5:30 pm with fireworks beginning at 9:20 pm. The show, originally scheduled for the 4th, was rescheduled due to concerns over forecasted thunderstorms.

In Caldwell, the Grover Cleveland Birthplace -- a memorial to the only US president to serve two non-consecutive terms -- held its annual ice cream social. In honor of the 19th-century leader, yesterday’s event also featured some old-fashioned fun, including a flea circus and the “Snickerdoodle Bake-Off,” a contest to find the best recipe for a snickerdoodle, a kind of cookie favored by Cleveland.  

Later that night, crowds from Caldwell, West Caldwell, Roseland and Essex Fells went to Bonnell field at Caldwell High School to enjoy fireworks.

Not to be outdone, neighboring Montclair held its popular, annual Independence Day parade, which included a contest for best float as well as a diverse range of marchers, such as the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps.

Livingston had a full menu of events scheduled for the holiday, incuding a car show, pony rides, mini-golf and a reading of the Declaration of Independence in what was a daylong extravaganza of patriotic fun.

Earlier in the week, Essex County sponsored a fireworks display at Brookdale Park in Montclair, which also featured the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

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