Fireworks are set for Friday in Thompson Park and Saturday for Village Park in Cranbury.
By: Matt Kirdahy
Village Park has seen its share of black powder and explosions of late with still more to come.
First there were demonstrations of Revolutionary War weapons during an encampment last week commemorating the 225th anniversary of the Continental Army’s march to Monmouth and now there are going to be fireworks celebrating America’s independence.
On Saturday at 6 p.m. the Historical and Preservation Society and the Cultural and Heritage Committee have invited Cranburians to an Independence Day celebration expected to go out with a bang.
Thompson Park Fireworks Friday There will be food and music, but fireworks will be center stage today (Friday) when the Jamesburg Civic Association and the Monroe Township Department of Recreation sponsor a Thompson Park celebration of Independence Day. The July 4 celebration will begin at 5 p.m. with games, food and music. The fireworks will start when it gets dark. The rain date is July 5. The fireworks will be joined by artillery as the 14th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, Company K, a Civil War re-enactment group, is scheduled to fire a Civil War cannon. Tom Allen, Monroe’s recreation superintendent, said there will be continuous music with two bands alternating on the bandstand and a disc jockey providing music as well. Shuttle buses will provide transportation from all the parking lots in the park to the center of events. Al Wicklund |
With fireworks from International Fireworks Manufacturing Co. of Douglassville, Pa., people are going to get to see thousands of bright explosions paint the night sky in a 17-minute show that starts at 9 p.m.
According to Skip Markacs of International Fireworks, the company is in charge of displays for many shows in New Jersey. He said that within the next 10 days, they are working 150 shows, one of which is in Cranbury.
The township has spent an estimated $6,500 for the show, which according to Mr. Markacs, is quite inexpensive compared to the Freedom Festival Show today in Freehold, which can cost anywhere form $20,000 to $30,000.
Prior to the fireworks, the Atlantic City Sousa Band is expected to perform a variety of marches and Dixieland music.
Band coordinator Art Blatt said the band has been performing since 2001 in the Atlantic City area and is delighted to come play up north.
The band’s set is expected to start by 7:30 p.m. at the gazebo.
Since New Jersey is celebrating its Crossroads of the Revolution campaign, Karen Kelley of the Historical Society said the organization was looking for something special to commemorate the anniversary, so it selected Cranburian and local actor Charles Duvany of Station Road to read the Declaration of Independence.
President of the Historical Society Karl Kusserow said that Mr. Duvany was chosen for the job because he was received so well at the "Whispers from the Grave" program in May.
"It should be a casual evening where people bring blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy an old-fashioned concert and some fireworks," Ms. Kelley said. "If it’s a nice day, we would hope for a very large crowd as in the past."