Public Information
Labor Day Weekend Carnival
Everything you need to know about our biggest event of the year — three days of rides, games, food, and family fun, all in support of your all-volunteer fire department. This page answers the most common questions about the carnival and will be updated with the latest details as the weekend approaches.
Schedule change · 2026 Carnival
Thursday, September 3 has been cancelled
Thursday's opening night of the Labor Day Weekend Carnival will not be held, so Friday, September 4 is now our opening night. We will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday — September 4, 5 and 6, including the parade on Saturday afternoon and the fireworks finale on Sunday evening.
Opening NightFriday, Sept 4 · 6:00 – 11:00 PM
- Thu, Sept 3Cancelled
- Fri, Sept 4Open
- Sat, Sept 5Open
- Sun, Sept 6Open
When & Where
September 4 – 6, 2026
Held at the Boonton High School Field, 306 Lathrop Ave, Boonton, NJ. Admission to the grounds is free.
Thursday, Sept 3Cancelled
6:00 – 11:00 PM
Opening night moved to Friday
Cancelled — no rides, food, or music this night.
Friday, Sept 4
6:00 – 11:00 PM
Opening Night
Live music: High Strung Band · 7:00 PM · Daily 50/50 raffle
Saturday, Sept 5
3:00 – 11:00 PM
Parade Day · Parade 1:30 PM
Trophies 5:30 PM · Live music: Naughty Humphrey · 7:00 PM · Daily 50/50 raffle
Sunday, Sept 6
3:00 – 11:00 PM
Fireworks Finale
Live music: Street Hassle · 7:00 PM · Fireworks · Super 50/50
Hours are subject to change. For the full weekend lineup including the parade and fireworks, see the Events page.
Saturday of the Weekend
🎺 135th Anniversary Parade
For nearly 90 years the Boonton Fire Department has marched its Labor Day Weekend inspection and parade, and 2026 marks our 135th Anniversary. Fire companies, ladies auxiliaries, bands, drum corps, and antique apparatus from across the region are invited to join us. Spectators are welcome all along the route — line up early to catch the apparatus, color guards, and marching units.
Date & Time
Saturday, September 5, 2026 — steps off at 1:30 PM sharp. Rain date: Monday, September 7, 2026.
Assembly
Units line up in West Boonton beginning at noon. Enter at Morris Avenue & Rockaway Street; all units should arrive no later than 12:30 PM.
Route
Down Main Street to Grant Street, to Old Boonton Road, ending at the Boonton High School field.
Apparatus Judging
Held before the parade at the Walmart parking lot (enter from Division St). Registration 8:30–11:00 AM; judging begins at 9:00 AM.
Please note: Any use of sirens in the line of march — except in a genuine emergency — will result in disqualification. Full conduct, uniform, and judging rules are in the Rules & Regulations document below.
Marching Units
Sign Up to March
Registering your fire company, auxiliary, band, or unit to march in the parade? Complete the online entry form on our parade page. Prefer to mail it in? Use the printable entry form above.
Go to the Parade Entry Form →Rides & Games
🎡 Midway by Blue Sky Amusements
Our rides and midway games are provided by Blue Sky Amusements, a professional, fully insured amusement company. From family rides and kiddie favorites to thrill rides and classic carnival games, there's something for every age. Ride pass and credit pricing is listed below.
Thrill Rides
Bigger rides for older kids and adults.
Family & Kiddie Rides
Gentle rides the whole family can enjoy.
Midway Games
Win prizes at classic games of skill and chance.
Ride Pricing
🎟️Ride Passes & Credits
There are two ways to pay for rides: buy a ride pass, or buy credits and use them ride by ride. Buying your pass ahead of time — and paying cash on the grounds — always costs the least.
🎫Ride Passes
Buy Before the Carnival
$35
Pre-sale price
$38 total when purchased online, including the website fee and credit card fee.
Buy On the Grounds
$40
Cash price on site
$41.16 if you pay by credit card at the carnival.
🪙Ride Credits
Rather pay as you go? Credits are sold in packs on the grounds. The larger the pack, the more bonus credits you get.
Most rides take 4–9 credits each, so a 38-credit pack is roughly four to nine rides depending on which rides you pick.
| Credits | Cash | Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | $10 | $10.29 |
| 18 | $20 | $20.58 |
| 38 | $40 | $41.16 |
| 48 | $50 | $51.45 |
| 58 | $60 | $61.74 |
| 78 | $80 | $82.32 |
| 98 | $100 | $102.90 |
Credit card prices include the card processing fee. Cash is always the lowest price. Rides and credits are sold by Blue Sky Amusements; prices are subject to change — check the ticket booth on the grounds for the latest.
Plan Ahead
📋Know Before You Go
A few things are much easier to sort out at the kitchen table than in line at the gate. These are the rules that come with the ride passes and credits sold by Blue Sky Amusements, who operate the midway.
One Person, One Day
A ride pass covers unlimited rides for one person on a single day of the event, and it is non-transferable. Everyone in your group who wants to ride needs their own wristband or their own credits — a band cannot be shared or handed off.
Online Orders Redeem at a Kiosk
Buying online gets you a QR code, not a wristband. Bring the code to a kiosk on the grounds and staff will trade it for the band. Once a code has been redeemed it is no longer active, so keep your order handy until you arrive.
Check the Sign at Each Ride
Every ride posts its own rider requirements, so read the sign before you get in line. Blue Sky does not recommend an unlimited ride wristband for children under 36 inches tall, since they may not be big enough for every ride.
No Refunds, Rain or Shine
Wristbands and credits are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. There are no rain checks if the midway closes early for weather, and broken bands are not replaced or refunded.
Bring cash. Cash is the lowest price on everything — ride passes, credits, and food — because a convenience fee is added to card payments. Blue Sky says its midway setup includes a mobile ATM, but arriving with cash saves you both the fee and the trip.
Before You Ride
🎢Ride Safety
Blue Sky Amusements says its rides are inspected daily by qualified safety technicians as well as by local inspection agencies, and that the company employs three NAARSO-certified inspectors. Riders have a part to play too. These are the rules Blue Sky asks every guest to follow — worth a read with the kids before you leave the house.
Do
- ✓Watch a ride go through a full cycle before you get on, and skip it if you are not comfortable.
- ✓Look for the posted State certificate of operation.
- ✓Read and follow all posted instructions and warnings.
- ✓Fasten every piece of safety equipment, and secure loose clothing, hats, phones, and bags.
- ✓Follow the ride operator's instructions.
- ✓Keep hands, arms, legs, and feet inside the ride at all times.
- ✓Stay fastened until the operator tells you otherwise, wait for a full stop, and exit only where directed.
Don't
- ✕Don't throw anything from a ride.
- ✕Don't behave recklessly or put other riders at risk.
- ✕Don't ride if you feel uncomfortable or fearful — there is no shame in sitting one out.
- ✕Don't horseplay in line, on the platform, or anywhere near a ride.
- ✕Don't board a ride unless an operator is there supervising.
- ✕Don't take food or drinks onto a ride, and don't smoke on one.
👨👩👧For Parents and Guardians
Little ones need the most attention on a midway. Blue Sky asks parents to:
- ·Know your child's abilities and limitations before picking a ride.
- ·Watch the ride all the way through before letting them on.
- ·Go over the do's and don'ts with them in plain words.
- ·Make sure they stay seated and follow the operator's instructions.
- ·Agree on a meeting spot before they get on, in case you are separated.
- ·Supervise children at all times on the midway.
Ride safety guidance adapted from the safety information published by Blue Sky Amusements, the licensed operator of our midway. If a ride, game, or anything else on the grounds does not look right to you, tell a ride operator or any firefighter in a department shirt.
On the Grounds
🍴 Food Tents
Hungry? Our volunteers staff several food tents throughout the weekend. Here's what each tent is serving.
Drinks Available for Purchase
The Food Tent and Pizza Tent sell drinks on the field.
Please note: Drink options can run out and may not all be available on the day you visit the carnival.
Pizza Tent
Pizza by the slice or the pie, plus classic Italian fair-day sweets.
- · Pizza by the slice or pie
- · Zeppole's
- · Funnel cakes
- · Deep fried Oreos
Seafood Tent
Fresh-cooked seafood and summer cookout sides.
- · Clam chowder
- · Steamers
- · Raw Clams
- · Shrimp Cocktail
- · Corn on the cob
Food Tent
Hot-off-the-grill favorites and carnival classics. Frying oil note: SuperChef Zerog Transfat Clear Liquid Shortening Vegetable Oil (soybean and/or canola oil) is used for Hot Dogs, French Fries, Chicken O's, and Hot Wings.
- · Water / soda
- · Hot dogs
- · Chili dogs
- · Cheeseburgers
- · Hamburgers
- · Chili cheese fries
- · French fries
- · Chicken O's
- · Hot wings
- · Sausage and peppers
- · Chili in a cup
Beer Tent
An assortment of cocktails for a great summer day or evening.
- · Assortment of cocktails
Credit Card Terminals Available
Credit card terminals will be available in the Food, Seafood, Pizza, and Beer Tents. A 3% convenience fee will be charged on all credit card transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get in?
Admission to the grounds is free. Rides and games are paid separately, and food is available for purchase at the food tents.
Who provides the rides and games?
The rides and midway games are operated by Blue Sky Amusements, a professional, fully insured amusement provider. See their website for the types of rides they bring.
Is the carnival accessible?
Yes. ADA-accessible parking and seating are available on the grounds, and ASL interpretation can be arranged on request — just contact us ahead of time.
What happens if it rains?
The carnival runs rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, ride operations may pause for safety. Follow our Facebook and Instagram for real-time updates.
Is there parking?
Free public parking is available nearby. ADA-accessible spaces are reserved close to the entrance. Please follow posted signage and the direction of volunteers.
Does everyone in my group need their own wristband?
Yes. A ride pass covers unlimited rides for one person on one day and is non-transferable, so each person who wants to ride needs their own wristband or their own credits.
Can I use a wristband on more than one day?
No. Each wristband is good for a single day of the event. If you buy in advance online, you pick which day at checkout, so make sure it is the day you actually plan to come.
I bought a pass online — how do I get the wristband?
Bring the QR code from your order to one of the kiosks on the grounds and staff will trade it for a wristband. Once a code has been redeemed it is no longer active.
Are there height requirements for the rides?
Each ride posts its own rider requirements, so check the sign before waiting in line. Blue Sky does not recommend an unlimited ride wristband for children under 36 inches tall, as they may not be big enough for every ride.
Can I get a refund if it rains or my band breaks?
No. Wristbands and credits are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged, there are no rain checks if the midway closes early for weather, and broken bands are not refunded. The carnival itself runs rain or shine.
Are the rides inspected?
Yes. Blue Sky Amusements says its rides are inspected daily by qualified safety technicians as well as local inspection agencies, and each ride displays a State certificate of operation that you can look for before boarding.
Still Have Questions?
Follow us for the latest carnival updates, or reach out and we'll be happy to help.
Hearing-impaired? Announcements posted on Facebook & Instagram. ASL available on request — contact Chief@boontonfd.org.