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

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

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

• Arts, Crafts, and Trade Fair Application and Information - Our vendor area is currently full for 2025.
• Food and Game Booth Application and Information - Our food area is currently full for 2025. If you think you would be a great fit and would like to be on our waitlist or distribution list for next year, please email us your 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, had his car break down and 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 the “Newark Days Celebration” was formed. The Newark Rotary offered to bring 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 Field. However, Newark Days maintains its 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. This is the committee as of 2025. Contact us if you would like to join! 

Board of Directors

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

Event Chairs

• Aaron Fink
• Gil Fletcher
• Glorianne Wong
• Jason Biser
• June Smith
• Kat Jones
• Kelli Rada
• Kristen Harvey
• Libby Macris
• Matthew Jorgens
• Sharon Keelen
• Shawn Smith
• Tamie Limtiaco
• Laurie Gebhard (City of Newark Liaison)