LAWRENCE: Big fireworks show set for July 5

The largest fireworks show in Lawrence Township’s history is set to light up the sky Friday as the township hosts its annual Fourth of July fireworks at Rider University.

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   The largest fireworks show in Lawrence Township’s history is set to light up the sky Friday as the township hosts its annual Fourth of July fireworks at Rider University.
   The $17,000 fireworks display, sponsored by the Lawrence Township Recreation Department, will begin around 9:45 p.m. The rain date is July6.
   Steven Groeger, the township’s superintendent of recreation, suggested coming early to make the best of the summer night — bring the family, a blanket or lawn chairs and perhaps a picnic supper. For those who choose not to bring their own food, there will be refreshments for sale.
   With or without food, however, all can enjoy the live music provided by Kindred Spirits, which plays a range of music for every taste, Mr. Groeger said. The music will begin around 7:30 p.m.
   Lawrence Township typically spends about $10,000 on fireworks shells, but because of an especially successful fundraising campaign, the show will cost about $17,000. The show has been increasing in size every year.
   Lawrence Township does not fund the fireworks show through the municipal budget, Mr. Groeger said. The township stopped funding the fireworks show in 2010 because of budget concerns, leaving the skies dark that year.
   That’s when the private fundraising effort — coordinated by the Lawrence Township Recreation Department — was launched to pay for the fireworks show, which has been held on the Rider University campus since the 1990s.
   The fundraising efforts for the 2014 fireworks show will begin even before the last shell has been fired for this year’s show. Donations will be accepted at this year’s show, Mr. Groeger said, adding that the goal is to get a jumpstart on fundraising for 2014.