Have a blast on this holiday weekend watching fireworks.
Locally, a display of color, flash and boom will be back in Hillsborough after a year’s absence when the show goes off at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Auten Road Intermediate School.
If you want to get close, you can ride a shuttle bus provided by Valchek Bus Service from the high school and middle school.
Severe budget constraints forced the township to cancel the annual Independence Day program and fireworks in 2010. Assemblyman Peter Biondi was asked to take charge of finding private sponsorships to revive the tradition. He did — with money from his own pocket and help with a sponsorship by TD Bank.
Mr. Biondi, when he was mayor of the township, initiated the event in the summer of 1986.
’Mr. Biondi, a longtime Hillsborough resident, served on the Township Committee from 1983-93, and as mayor from 1986-1993.
There will be fireworks around the area this long holiday weekend.
Tonight, Thursday, there’ll be a bomb-bursting show at Montgomery High School in Skillman. It’ll be the culmination of an early evening of games, music, food and displays.
On Friday night, Princeton will host the “Spirit of Princeton” display. A good viewing site is the Princeton University sports field adjacent to Princeton Stadium. Fireworks should start about 9 p.m.
Somerset County will shoot a display on Monday night after its evening of games and music at the 41st annual Independence Day Family Festival, which begins at 5 p.m. Monday at North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater. Admission is free.
The evening historical reenactments celebrating the birth of the nation, a reenactment of a Revolutionary War encampment by the Third New Jersey Regiment Revolutionary Encampment, children’s games and activities — in addition to the display of fireworks at 9:30.
The band Verdict will kick off the entertainment with a blend of classic reggae, calypso, soca and funk island music.
Total Soul, an 11-piece band, will perform R&B, soul and Motown hits from the ‘60s through today, brought to life with a mix of four-part vocal harmony, a soul-driven rhythm section and “hot” horns.
Corporate sponsorship is provided by Courier News, Ethicon and WMGQ.
If there is inclement weather, the fireworks only will be presented on Tuesday, July 5, or the first clear evening at 9:30.
