The Alternative Press

You won't need to travel far to find a wide array of fun activities this week as Atlantic City promises to be hopping during the 4th of July holiday with a week’s worth of world-class entertainment and fun for every particular tast, according to Elaine Zamansky, public relations diva for the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority.  

A state-of-the-art fireworks celebration, live musical entertainment, free outdoor movies, delicious farm fresh fruits and vegetables, great hotel deals and an incredible 3D sound and light show are just some of the attractions on display this week in Atlantic City. Let your holiday rock on Wednesday, July 4th as the largest fireworks display in New Jersey lights up the evening sky along the Atlantic Ocean near The Pier Shops at Caesars. 

Internationally-renowned fireworks entertainers, Grucci, will present "Let it Rock", an approximately 20-minute fireworks extravaganza choreographed to music and visible for miles along the world-famous Boardwalk. Immediately following the fireworks show, musician Kevin Rudolph will hold a free musical performance on stage at Kennedy Plaza in front of Historic Boardwalk Hall.  Shortly thereafter, the Atlantic City Alliance will debut "Duality", a fabulous spectacle of 3D sound and light on the façade of Boardwalk Hall. 

This free event is being created by Moment Factory, a Montreal, Canada-based new media and entertainment studio that uses the latest in technology to bring buildings "to life." There's much more to do in Atlantic City to make this July 4th holiday a week-long celebration. 

World-famous musicians, bands and comedic acts take the stage at several of Atlantic City's casino hotels.  Styx, REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, James Taylor and Sarah McLachlan perform at the Borgata; Celtic Thunder at Harrah's; Kanye West headlines two sold-out shows at Revel; Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx and Sarah Silverman perform at Caesars; The Commodores play Trump Taj Mahal; Cedric the Entertainer brings laughs to the Tropicana while The House of Blues at Showboat features Papa Roach and Disco Biscuits. Are you in the mood to experience some of the best pubs and bars that Atlantic City has to offer?  If you are, we have great news for you.

Harry's Oyster Bar at Bally's Atlantic City will host the Red, White and Brew pub crawl on Wednesday, July 4th at 3 pm.  The Atlantic City Farmers Market opens its 12th season on Thursday, July 5th at Center City Park, located on Atlantic Avenue between North and South Carolina avenues. 

Farmers from south jersey offer a wide selection of farm fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, grapes, peaches, apples and oranges to vegetables like squash, cucumbers, radishes, lettuce and scrumptious sweet Jersey corn.  Farm-grown, freshly-cut flowers, home-made tomato pies, handcrafter jewelry and candles are also available.  The Farmers Market is held Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 am - 3 pm from July 5 through September 29.

Free outdoor "Movies under the Stars" returns Friday, July 6th at Bartram & the Boardwalk featuring the film "Tintin" and Sunday, July 8th at Brighton Park featuring the film "This is it".  Residents, families and visitors are all invited to bring their beach chairs, blankets and picnic baskets for this family-friendly theatrical presentation.  Movies will be shown on a 16x9 inflatable screen, complete with two, 400-watt speakers.  Movies commence promptly at dusk and are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.  You may visit www.doatlanticcity.com for a completion schedule of movies, dates and times.

The 13th Annual Chicken Bone Beach free concert series on the Boardwalk at Kennedy Plaza returns on Thursday, July 5th featuring local jazz artist Odean Pope at 7 pm and followed by The Brenda Bass Ensemble at 8:30 pm.  This event is free and open to the public as well.

Thanks to the warm summer temperatures and beautiful weather, rooms are going fast, but don't despair.  Plenty of great deals are available for the July 4th holiday week at many Atlantic City casino hotel properties.

The newly-renovated Golden Nugget has rooms available to fit any budget from $119 to $369 per night throughout the week, Trump Taj Mahal from $179 to $369 per night, and Trump Plaza from $109 to $359 per night.  Starting Sunday, July 1st, Trump Taj Mahal and Trump Plaza are offering attractive room packages starting at $149, $162 and $189, respectively.  Visit www.doatlanticcity.com for more information on these packages and to book your room reservation.  Starting Friday, June 29th and running through Sunday, July 8th, Revel is offering its Summer Kickoff Package starting at $189. 

Visit www.revelresorts.com for more information on this package and to book your room reservation.  Room availability is not guaranteed throughout the week.  Please visit www.doatlanticcity.com for up-to-the-minute room availability, rates and specials. More fun and entertaining shows and events are being added every day to Atlantic City's impressive calendar, so be sure and visit www.doatlanticcity.com frequently to stay up to date on all that you can "DO in AC".