Monmouth Beach & USA — Celebrate ’76
Happy July 4th!
MB-USA Bicentennial Celebration — 50 Years Ago …
As the borough of Monmouth Beach marks the nation’s 250th birthday with a grand celebration — June 11-14, 2026 — it’s worth remembering that the town hosted a somewhat similar party 50 years ago. And had a blast!
In late-July 1976, the residents of Monmouth Beach joined in with the nation celebrating its 200th birthday and threw a party of its own. It was so well done that a New York Times reporter assigned to cover the festivities described Monmouth Beach as “an American community at its best.”
The borough commissioners had created an organizing committee in 1975 and budgeted $3,000 to fund an “Independence Day” celebration. Borough resident Samuel Smith (a distinguished Monmouth County historian and author) chaired the Monmouth Beach-American Bicentennial celebration committee. Sam, an expert on the Battle of Monmouth, died in 1989.
The committee organized and executed a large parade through town. Led off by Borough Fire Chief Michael Heath and Bill “Mr. America” Van Kuik, the parade included more than 400 participants. Most borough groups and organizations marched. Cindy Sokol was “Queen of the Parade.”
One group of spirited young borough residents really got into the celebratory mood dressing in the garb of historic Americans for Bicentennial parade float. Among the icons represented were: “Spirit of ’76” (Jean “Gi Gi” Hinck, Sheila and Shannon Kelly), Betsy Ross (Swazi Charity), George Washington (Susan Collora), Paul Revere (Ennis Murphy), Abe Lincoln (Peter Collora), Molly Pitcher (Joan Collora), George Washington (Susan Collora), Statue of Liberty (Owen Kelly), Killian Toohey (General Custer), Pocahontas (Mickey Barham), and Uncle Sam (Joe Bogner).
The Recreation Commission hosted a series of events at Griffin Park — including a karate demonstration and three-legged races. There was a Bake-Off” contest. Beach Road at mid-town was closed off that day and a big “Old-Fashioned Block Party” was held — with music, food, and drink in abundance. All making for an unforgettable moment among neighbors at perhaps the largest ever gathering of residents in our history. At the time of the party Monmouth Beach was in the middle of vast growth — with population soaring by 60% in the 1970s.
The grand Monmouth Beach day was all capped by a spectacular fireworks display launched from the the MB Club on Ocean Avenue. As part of the celebration the committee also identified borough homes that were 100-years-old or more. At the time, the group verified just 24 dwellings as being centennial homes.
Both local newspapers sent a reporter and photographer to cover the day’s events. A “warm, friendly hometown party that accommodated all ages,” was the Red Bank Daily Register’s finding. The newspapers praised organizers for putting the focus of an important national holiday on “a wonderful municipality.” Mayor Johnson, then in his 27th straight year as borough leader, said it was “tremendous to celebrate the Bicentennial — our way.” The local press also did stories on the planting of a time-capsule at Borough Hall in November 1976 (exhumed in April 2026).
In 2026, Monmouth Beach is also marking its 120th year of independence — from Ocean Twp.
Here are some photos from that big celebration. Note: Many of these images are from the collection of Dan Hennessey (for whom I’m always grateful, see HERE).
Monmouth Beach 100th Celebration (2006) — HERE
Happy Fourth — Mayor Sidney Johnson and Ray Hinck (“Ben Franklin”) during the Monmouth Beach-American Bicentennial celebration held on Beach Road, July 1976. Monmouth Beach was also marking its 70th year of independence — from Ocean Twp.
All in Line — MB-USA Bicentennial celebration parade on Beach Road, July 1976.
Leading the Parade — Fire Company Chief Michael Heath (l) and Bill “Mr. America” Van Kuik (r) march in the borough’s Bicentennial parade, July 1976. The parade included more than 400 participants.
Town Pride — A group of spirited young borough residents really got into the celebratory mood dressing in the garb of historic Americans for Bicentennial parade float, July 1976. Among the icons represented were: “Spirit of ’76” (Gi Gi Hinck, Sheila and Shannon Kelly), Betsy Ross (Swazi Charity), George Washington (Susan Collora), Paul Revere (Ennis Murphy), Abe Lincoln (Peter Collora), Molly Pitcher (Joan Collora), George Washington (Susan Collora), Statue of Liberty (Owen Kelly), Killian Toohey (General Custer), Pocahontas (Mickey Barham), and Uncle Sam (Joe Bogner).
Icons of Liberty — MB-USA Bicentennial parade participants, July 1976.
Colorful Times — MB-USA Bicentennial parade participants, July 1976.
Borough-Bicentennial parade in front of the school, July 1976 (Bobbi Rise Photo).
Big Day — The Monmouth Beach-USA Bicentennial Celebration program, July 1976.
Oasis Band performs at Beach Road “Block Party” during the MB-USA Bicentennial Celebration, July 1976.
Martha Schulz watches MB-USA Bicentennial parade near Monmouth Parkway, July 1976.
200th Toast — Monmouth Beach-American Bicentennial commemorative mug, 1976.
Front Page — Red Bank Daily Register story about the borough’s bicentennial celebration, July 1976.
Bill Heath drives his antique auto in the Bicentennial parade, July 1976.
MB Bathing Pavilion lifeguards march in the Bicentennial parade, July 1976.
Bicentennial celebration, July 1976. Mayor Sidney Johnson said it was “tremendous to celebrate the Bicentennial — our way.”
Karate demonstration at the borough school during the Bicentennial celebration, July 1976.
MB First Aid Squad members march in the Bicentennial parade, July 1976.
Mayor Sidney Johnson rides with Nina Sokol (l) and Leslie Kuhltau (r) in the Bicentennial parade, July 1976. Cindy Sokol was selected as “Queen of the Parade.”
Three-legged race at Griffin Park during the borough’s Bicentennial celebration, July 1976.
“Block Party” on Beach Road for Bicentennial celebration, July 1976.
Bake-Off Contest during the Bicentennial celebration, July 1976.
Prominent Monmouth County historian Sam Smith and his wife Agnes at the borough’s Bicentennial celebration, July 1976.
Monmouth Beach Centennial Homes Committee, 1976. From Left: Priscilla Brower, Bill and Laura Bradley, Rosemary O’Brien and Mayor Sidney Johnson. As part of the borough’s American-Bicentennial Celebration the committee was tasked with officially identifying borough homes that were 100-years-old or more. At the time, the group verified just 24 dwellings as being centennial homes.
Food service at the Bicentennial celebration on Beach Road, July 1976.
Residents gather for the Bicentennial celebration off Beach Road, July 1976.
“Block Party” at the Bicentennial celebration on Beach Road, July 1976.
Residents gather on Borough Hall porch during the Bicentennial celebration, July 1976.
Residents and organizers at the Bicentennial celebration, July 1976.
MBFC’s Mack Fire Truck in Bicentennial parade, July 1976.
MB First Aid Squad in Bicentennial parade, July 1976.
Buried Treasure? — As part of the Monmouth Beach-USA Bicentennial celebration in 1976, an organizing committee planted a time capsule (not the steel drum pictured but a vintage milk container) on borough hall grounds — with a 2026 Opening Date. From left: Mayor Sidney Johnson, Committee chair Sam Smith, and Betty and Mike Heath, committee members. Red Bank Daily Register, November 1976.
Monmouth Beach Time-Capsule burial newspaper story, Asbury Park Press, November 1976.
“Spirit of ’76!”
I remember the day well — as a youngster we celebrated the country’s Bicentennial — including the annual Firemen’s Fair (always a grand celebration). We lived on Anderson St. and the property is still in the family — now of course updated with the times. Please contact me for the opening of the time capsule.
Loved seeing these “old” pictures. Looks like the time capsule will be dug up next July!