Maplewood House For Sale

Your Guide to a Happy Maplewood 4th of July

Festooning houses, adorning the high dive, in shop windows, on t-shirts and even, yes, on baked goods — images of the American flag are everywhere this weekend and it's no wonder. The 4th of July is upon us, Maplewood.

Now that you're in the spirit, there's no end of all-American activities to take part in today. Each year, the Maplewood Civic Association Fourth of July Committee puts on a day-long extravaganza of iconic American events for our town's annual Independence Day Celebration.

If you didn't yet buy your tags to help support the event ($10 a pop; babes in arms free), no worries! Tags will also be available for sale today at the entrance gates for the evening event. We've added in a few other events (dunk tank, 5K) to make the list comprehensive. 7:45 a.m. , Ricalton Square, assemble for 8 a.m. Opening Ceremonies.

8:15 a.m. Bikes, etc. Parade - Everything Push, Pedal or Pull: red, white & blue decorated bikes, kazoos, toddlers pots & pans, rollerbladers. Neighborhood groups and organizations invited to create original theme entries. Ricalton Square in Maplewood Village.

9 a.m. Dashes & Relay Race s, athletic field opposite Town Hall requires sign-up form; Maplewood residents). Scouts run morning concession (coffee, water, etc.) near Skate House.

9 a.m. Run Through Maplewood 4th of July 5K. The registration table opens at 8 a.m. for last minute sign-ups and for race bib and t-shirt pickup. Prizes awarded for top three finishers in a gazillion categories. Registration is $30 on the day of the race.

9 a.m. to approximately 9 p.m. Dunk Tunk. A fundraiser for the Maplewood Volunteer First Aid Squad . All day long in Memorial Park near Oakview Road and the Zerbini Circus, pay to play and dunk local notables including the Mayor (Vic DeLuca will be in the hot spot from 2:15 to 3 p.m.).

10 a.m. Wave the Flag Art Project , in Memorial Park downhill from Maplewood Station — build, decorate and populate sculpture installation by John Kaufman, sponsored by Memorial Post 10120 VFW and 1978 Maplewood Arts Center (all ages, Maplewood residents).

11 a.m. Ice Cream Eating Contests , presented by Maplewood Rotary, picnic area next to playground in Memorial Park (Maplewood residents K-12 & Adults).

11:30 a.m.