By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Just like old times, Lawrence Township’s first fireworks show in two years is set to fill the air Saturday night over Centennial Lake at Rider University. The last show was 2009.
Last year’s fireworks show was canceled because there was no money for it in the 2010 municipal budget.
The 2011 budget also did not include money for the fireworks show, but the township raised money privately to cover the cost of this year’s event.
Kindred Spirits, a band that plays a variety of music, will play for fireworks show-goers, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, said Steven Groeger, the township’s Superintendent of Recreation. The band has played at the fireworks show for several years.
Then, around 9:30 p.m., the fireworks will begin over Centennial Lake, Mr. Groeger said. It is about the same size and has about as many shells as the previous fireworks demonstrations and will last about 15 to 20 minutes.
Mr. Groeger said the private fund-raising effort generated about $18,000, and “there is still money coming in.” He had set the targeted amount of money to be raised at $18,000, which is about the cost of the previous fireworks shows.
”People stepped up (and donated money),” he said. “This is a perfect example of how the community will support something they want. The senior citizens collected money, and children raised money.”
Major donors included The Lawrenceville School, Rider University and the law firm of Stark & Stark, but money was also raised by the people whether it was a check or pocket change that was dropped into the canisters at local businesses.
More than two dozen residents sent in checks to support the fireworks show from as little as $5 to as much as $250, Mr. Groeger said, adding that every dollar was appreciated. The senior citizens donated more than $500 they raised from various events.
Mayor Greg Puliti donated $1,100 toward the fireworks, Mr. Groeger said. The mayor agreed to donate the $100 fee he receives for performing marriage ceremonies.
Canisters were placed at businesses throughout the township, and generated about $900, he said. A recent fund raiser at the Lawrenceville Grill at the Quaker Bridge Mall netted nearly $200.
”All these things together made it happen. We are going to start raising money for 2012. Once people see that their support will make it happen again, maybe the fireworks show can be bigger next year,” Mr. Groeger said.
