Region to celebrate the 4th

Princeton fireworks set Monday night

By: Allison Musante
   The Spirit of Princeton is hosting its ninth annual fireworks show on Monday night adjacent to Princeton Stadium on the university campus.
   Guests are welcome to gather in the fields around the stadium beginning at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at dusk, about 9:15 p.m.
   The event is free and open to the public, and the fireworks will launch from the area of Lake Carnegie "rain or shine," according to Spirit of Princeton chairman Ray Wadsworth. Parking is also free and will be available by the stadium and all over the campus.
   "Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets," Mr. Wadsworth said. Food will not be sold at the event and no alcoholic beverages will be permitted.
   "All you have to do is bring your body and a few friends," he said.
   The Spirit of Princeton will be selling glow necklaces and T-shirts to help offset the cost of the fireworks, and Mr. Wadsworth said that donations will be accepted.
   Other Packet-area observances are also set:
   • In West Windsor, Mercer County is hosting the fourth annual Freedom Festival at Mercer County Park on Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. and closing with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
   The Freedom Festival will include a concert lineup starting at 2 p.m. with the Sensational Soul Cruisers. The Kindred Spirit will follow at 4:15 p.m. and conclude with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, which will play from 7 to 9 p.m.. The acoustic band Shootin Looks will perform with the fireworks display, which will begin at nightfall, about 9:15 p.m.
   A variety of food and beverage vendors will be present, including local breweries and wineries.
   "There will be everything from funnel cakes to sausage sandwiches, and ethnic foods," said Julie Willmot, Mercer County director of communications.
   For the kids, there will be inflatable rides, animal exhibits, agricultural displays from the 4-H club, crafts, and games.
   Parking will be available in the park, where parking attendants will be directing guests.
   The event is free and open to the public, but visitors are not permitted to bring alcoholic beverages into the park.
   • Montgomery Township is hosting an Independence Day celebration 6 p.m. tonight and ending with the National Anthem and a fireworks show at dusk, about 9:30 p.m.
   The celebration is free and open to the public.
   The Party Dolls will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The group is composed of four women and a live band that will perform hit songs from the 1960s to the 1990s.
   Booster clubs and nonprofit organizations have sponsored a variety of food vendors to sell snacks including grilled foods.
   There will also be inflatable rides and games for the children.
   Animals and alcohol are prohibited at the event.
   Parking will be limited in the high school lot, but overflow parking will be available with special parking available to the elderly and handicapped.
   There are no Independence Day celebrations scheduled in Rocky Hill or Plainsboro.