Question 1

What is THE BIG BOOM at Great Meadow?

Accepted Answer

THE BIG BOOM at Great Meadow is the annual Independence Day Celebration, now going into the 36th year. This event is an outdoor festival featuring fun for the whole family.

There are assorted games and activities for all ages, LIVE music, food, beverages, and entertainment. More than 20 local vendors will be on-site selling food and beverages. The Meadow Bar will have an assortment of beer and wine for sale.

When the sun goes down, guests will enjoy a custom multimedia pyromusical production by Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts, made exclusively for our Independence Day Celebration!

Question 2

What are the ticketing options?

Accepted Answer

The full list of pass options can be found HERE.(https://www.showpass.com/great-meadow-july4-2025/)

General Admission (GA): General Admission passes include one (1) Vehicle Admission - this is for one (1) vehicle and its passengers to enter the property and park in the General Admission (GA) Parking areas as shown HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/map)

VIP Car Passes: VIP Passes include one (1) Vehicle Admission - this is for one (1) vehicle and its passengers - to enter the property at Gate # 1 and park in VIP Parking area as shown HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/map) VIP Car Passes put you closer to all activations at the event and a less crowded parking area for easy access.

Members Hill Tailgates: Members Hill Tailgates allow entry for two (2) vehicles and passengers in each of the two (2) vehicles to your tailgate space. 
If you have more than two (2) vehicles, you must purchase a General Admission (GA) pass or VIP Car Pass for the additional vehicle(s). Members Hill Tailgates are located on Members Hill as shown in the map HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/map)

North and South Tailgates:  North and South Tailgates (front and back) allow for entry for two (2) vehicles to your tailgate space.  If you have more than two (2) vehicles, you must purchase a General Admission (GA) pass or VIP Car Pass for the additional vehicle(s).  North and South Tailgates have two options for tickets, FRONT (rail-side) and BACK, as shown below and HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/tickets-welcome)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e02626_6f8ee40a95a549e98439129c843c8efc~mv2.jpg

North and South Tailgate locations are shown on the map HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/map)

Question 3

Tailgate Pass Details and Purchase Instructions.

Accepted Answer

Our North, South, and Members Hill Tailgate Passes allow for two (2) vehicles (with vehicle passengers) to park at your selected tailgate location(s).  You can view all tailgate areas HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/map)

Our parking teams will direct you to the tailgate location you have selected. You will need to print your ticket TWICE so that each of the two (2) cars for your designated tailgate space can enter the property.

FRONT Tailgates are available in all tailgating areas. FRONT spaces are located on the rail - closest to the racecourse fence.

BACK Tailgates are available in North Tailgates and South Tailgates ONLY. BACK spaces are located behind the FRONT Tailgate spaces and are ONE (1) tailgate space back from the rail.

Members Hill Tailgates: Members Hill Tailgates allow entry for two (2) vehicles and passengers in each of the two (2) vehicles to your tailgate space. 
If you have more than two (2) vehicles, you must purchase a General Admission (GA) pass or VIP Car Pass for the additional vehicle(s). Members Hill Tailgates are located on Members Hill as shown in the map HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/map)

North and South Tailgates:  North and South Tailgates (front and back) allow for entry for two (2) vehicles to your tailgate space.  If you have more than two (2) vehicles, you must purchase a General Admission (GA) pass or VIP Car Pass for the additional vehicle(s).  North and South Tailgates have two options for tickets, FRONT (rail-side) and BACK, as shown below and HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/tickets-welcome)

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e02626_6f8ee40a95a549e98439129c843c8efc~mv2.jpg

Members Hill, North, and South Tailgate locations are shown on the map HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/map)

Question 4

What if I wait until Friday, July 4 (day of the event) to purchase my pass?

Accepted Answer

If you wait until FRIDAY, JULY 4 to purchase your pass for THE BIG BOOM, then you will only be able to purchase a General Admission (GA) Pass for entry at Gate #8 + Gate #9.

Prices increase from $60 to $80 on the day of the event, so plan ahead if you are able to do so.

You will be able to purchase your DAY-OF General Admission Parking Pass online HERE (https://www.showpass.com/great-meadow-july4-2025/)until 3:00 PM EST on Friday, July 4, 2025.

General Admission (GA) Parking Passes can be purchased at Gate # 8 and Gate # 9 after the online cutoff at 3:00 PM EST on Friday, July 4, 2025.  It is advised that you purchase your pass in-advance or ONLINE (https://www.showpass.com/great-meadow-july4-2025/)the day of the event due to traffic entering the property.

PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH AT THE GATES FOR PAYMENT - CREDIT ONLY.

Question 5

What happens in the event of inclement weather?

Accepted Answer

This event is rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, guests will be asked to return to their vehicles until the storm passes.

Question 6

Are my passes refundable?

Accepted Answer

No. All purchases are non-refundable and final sale. If you are no longer able to make this event, you are able to transfer your pass(es) via the Showpass ticketing system to another person(s). You can find instructions to do this HERE. (https://help.showpass.com/hc/en-us/articles/360023831873-Ticket-buyer-guide-How-to-transfer-tickets-or-products#:~:text=Showpass%20Support&text=Find%20the%20order%20that%20you,that%20you%20transfer%20a%20ticket.)

Question 7

What should I bring?

Accepted Answer

Guests are welcome to bring blankets, folding chairs, and coolers. Guests may bring their own food and drinks, including alcohol.

Guests can NOT bring pets, personal fireworks/sparklers/firecrackers, or any cooking devices, including but not limited to grills of any kind, smokers, camping stoves, etc. You will be asked to leave the property if you enter the Great Meadow property with any of these banned items.

Question 8

What is the event schedule?

Accepted Answer

You can find this information HERE. (https://www.gmjuly4th.com/schedule)

Question 9

Do I need tickets in addition to the Car Pass?

Accepted Answer

NO. All car passes and tailgates cover entry for vehicles and the occupants of the vehicle(s). One (1) pass is for (1) vehicle. ALL vehicles that enter the property must have a pass.

Question 10

Is there Handicapped Parking and ADA Restrooms?

Accepted Answer

YES. There is handicapped parking located in all parking areas. ADA restrooms located in each parking area.

To ensure easy access to activities and food, please consider purchasing a VIP Car Pass.

Please be aware that this event is held in a large grass meadow, making some handicapped accessibility inconvenient. If you have questions about access, please email july4@greatmeadow.org.(july4@greatmeadow.org)

Question 11

What is the General Admission (GA) area like?

Accepted Answer

General Admission (GA) guests are welcome to bring blankets and chairs to set up in the GA Open Seating viewing areas located near the GA parking areas. See below maps for GA Open Seating areas.

NO tents, umbrellas or sunshades. No dogs or pets. No personal fireworks.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e02626_5a23100508fd425bb30568dcb47eafbf~mv2.png

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e02626_dcca3d1781d54ef09469b24594790ab0~mv2.png

Question 12

What are the activities and how much do they cost?

Accepted Answer

We have a variety of FREE activities and games for all ages. You can view more about these activities HERE.(https://www.gmjuly4th.com/schedule)

ALL activities are located on Members Hill. On-site signage will guide you to the Family Fun Zone and Vendors Row that will have over 20 food trucks and merchants. Activities include pony rides, yard games, a bounce house, fair games, contests, and more!

Question 13

Will there be food and drinks available on site?

Accepted Answer

YES. There will be over 20 vendors on-site selling food and beverages.

The Meadow Bar will be selling an assortment of beer and wine.

Cash and Credit are accepted. We will have an ATM on-site if you prefer cash.

*You are also welcome to bring your own food and beverages. Please remember we do NOT allow grills of any type on-site. We DO NOT have electricity available for you - so please keep that in mind when you plan. We also DO NOT have ice available for coolers. You will need to provide your own ice.

Question 14

Can I come for only the fireworks?

Accepted Answer

YES.  You are welcome to attend for just the fireworks, but you will still need to purchase a full-price car pass AND be onsite before 8:30 PM.

At 8:30 pm, all roads are reversed for EXIT ONLY.

Question 15

Can I leave and re-enter the property during the event?

Accepted Answer

NO. Once you are on site, re-entry is not permitted.

Question 16

Can I spend the night at Great Meadow?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not allow anyone to spend the night at Great Meadow. This event concludes at 10 PM EST and the property closes shortly thereafter with gates closed for the night by Security once all guests have exited the property.

Question 17

Can I bring my pet?

Accepted Answer

NO. Absolutely NO pets are permitted.

Violations may be cause for expulsion from the event without refund.

Question 18

Can I bring a tent?

Accepted Answer

The only tickets that allow tents (no larger than 10x10') are ONLY permitted in the North and South Rail Enclosures for Tailgate holders and for Members Hill Tailgates.

Tents, umbrellas and sunshades are NOT permitted in all other ticketing areas to include General Admission (GA), VIP Parking, VIP boxes, or the picnicking areas.

Question 19

Can I bring a grill?

Accepted Answer

NO. Absolutely NO cooking devices (including but not limited to grills of any kind, smokers, camping stoves) are allowed on the Great Meadow property.

Violations may be cause for expulsion from the event without refund.

Question 20

Can I bring personal fireworks?

Accepted Answer

NO. Absolutely NO personal fireworks of any kind, including sparklers, are allowed on the Great Meadow property.

Violations may be cause for expulsion from the event without refund.

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