LAWRENCE: Fireworks set to go off on Saturday

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
The skies over Lawrence Township will be awash in the rockets’ red, white and blue glare as the township hosts its annual Fourth of July celebration Saturday at the Rider University campus.
The fireworks display will begin around 9:45 p.m. and last about 20 minutes. The rain date is Sunday, July 6.
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 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 2015 fireworks show will begin even before the last shell has been fired Saturday night. Donations will be accepted at this year’s show, Mr. Groeger said, adding that the goal is to get a jumpstart on fundraising for 2015.