See links below to participate in these Newark Days events in 2025!  

• The Newark Mile 4k Race 
• Car and Truck Show (coming soon)
  • Online registration
  • Paper registration
• Parade Application and Information
• Community Information Faire
• Coloring Contest for Kids (coming soon)

The Newark Days Celebration annually has around 100,000+ visitors, which makes it a great opportunity for vendors!  

• Arts, Crafts, and Trade Faire Application and Information
• Food and Game Booth Application and Information

Have a question? Email us at newarkdays1@gmail.com with questions.

The City of Newark has been celebrating its birthday, September 22, 1955 – annually since incorporation. Over 200 volunteers come together to make this a truly wonderful annual celebration.

A parade was at the heart of it – and old-timers remember when the City’s first Mayor, George Silliman’s car broke down and he walked the parade route down Thornton Avenue. Members of the Newark Chamber of Commerce – who later turned the festivities over to the Junior Chamber of Commerce, planned the early years of what is now called Newark Days. In the 60’s – a group called “Newark Birthday Celebration” was formed. The weekend events were held on the Newark Pavilion grounds, in the Newark High School auditorium, and of course, in the Thornton Avenue parade.

The “Newark Birthday Celebration” dissolved at the end of the ’60s and for several years – the only celebration commemorating the City’s birthday was put on in Newark Community Park by the Newark Recreation Department – a one-day event with games and a birthday cake. In 1972 Shirley Sisk ran for City Council and in walking door-to-door during the campaign, the predominant question was – “when is the Newark birthday celebration coming back?”. Shirley and her husband Frank had volunteered and worked with the old “Newark Birthday Celebration”, so in the Summer of 1972, a meeting was called to see if there were enough volunteers to plan an event for that September. Interest was high and “Newark Days Celebration” was formed. The Newark Rotary offered to bring in a carnival and the committee put together food booths and games at the Pavilion. The weekend was a huge success.

The next step was to form a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation: Newark Days Celebration Inc. The original signers were: William & Bonnie Chivers, Robert Jaeger (Executive Director of the Newark Chamber of Commerce), Barbara Lane, Marilyn Rogers, Frank & Shirley Sisk, and John Fulgaro. From that small step, Newark Days has grown from a weekend event to 4 days centered in the Newark Community Park & Community Center as well as the adjacent MacGregor School Grounds. However, Newark Days maintains it’s volunteer spirit with an all volunteer Board of Directors and organizing committee. The parade now goes down Newark Blvd, and ends on Cedar Blvd, a much longer walk if a car breaks down!

The Current Newark Days Committee

Newark Days has no employees and is planned and organized by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Board of Directors

• Laurie Gratz (President)
• Filip Nowak (Vice President)
• Mary Ann Mellons (Treasurer)
• Donna Sisk (Secretary)
• Cheri Neaylon
• Christopher Chandler
• David Fink
• Jane Burns
• Ramona McMaster
• Nick Valencia
• Tony Vargas

Event Chairs

• Gil Fletcher
• Glorianne Wong
• Jason Biser
• John Sargent
• June Smith
• Kim Ortiz
• Libby Macris
• Matthew Jorgens
• Rob Rodriguez
• Shawn Smith
• Tamie Limtiaco
• Valarie Smith
• Laurie Gebhard (City of Newark Liason)