BORDENTOWN: Community gathers to celebrate Independence Day

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   Blankets and chairs filled Joseph Lawrence Park as family and friends gathered together for the annual Independence Day celebration July 5.
   The event included live bands, family entertainment and a variety of vendors and concluded with a 25-minute fireworks display by Pyrotecnico, which started around 9:15 p.m.
   ”The fireworks returned for a second year with the help (from) our Bordentown Township and Bordentown City, as well as many sponsors including Investor’s Bank and Bordentown Home for Funerals,” said Katy McGowan, vice president of Foundation for Bordentown Traditions.
   Approximately 5,000 people attended the celebration, according to officials.
   ”We loved the intimate feeling of the event as it was not overly crowded,” said Karen Briggs, of Bordentown. “Coupled with great friends and beautiful weather, the day couldn’t have been better.”
   The free entertainment began at 4:30 p.m. with a bounce house, bounce slide, bounce obstacle course, train ride around the park, and a bounce sport activity center. The train ride was new this year.
   ”We had local restaurant and nonprofits at the event in the food court and a free kids’ corner with bounce houses and a train ride through the park,” she said. “We had a celebrity dunk tank where we raised money for future events.”
   Some of the local celebrities who participated in the dunk tank included Rob Pecht from Bordentown Home for Funerals, Chris O’Leary from Bordentown Regional Middle School Teacher, and Chris Nunn president of Foundation for Bordentown Traditions.
   ”The activities and food vendors were wonderful,” Ms. Briggs said. “Bordentown Traditions truly out did themselves with organizing everything. The event was the best of two worlds, it captured the beauty of celebrating our Fourth of July and small town living.”
   Michelle Dudas, of Bordentown City, was glad to have the fireworks back.
   ”I missed not having the fireworks,” said Ms. Dudas. “I think that they were amazing and even better than last year which were really good.
   She thanked everyone that “helped put this together for their time and effort.”
   ”I can’t wait for next year’s,” she said.
   Resident Amy Thomas also can’t wait to see the fireworks next year.
   ”The Foundation for Bordentown Traditions pulled off a great event,” said Ms. Thomas. “Thank you to the Bordentown Home for Funerals for sponsoring the kids’ corner and keeping the kids happy.”
   It was a fun time for all, she added.
   ”The fireworks were amazing and I am looking forward to Fourth of July 2015,” she said.
   Melissa Pillik, of Bordentown City, thanked the volunteers for the “countless hours of their time to create this wonderful tradition.”
   She noted that their efforts have “created priceless memories for each and everyone one in attendance.”
   ”What an extraordinary undertaking the planning of the event must have been,” said Ms. Pillik. “Thank you to the many volunteers who’ve given countless hours of their time to create this wonderful tradition for our community.”
   It couldn’t have been a lovelier day to spend with friends and family, and was perfectly capped off by a fireworks display that was nothing short of impressive, she said.
   Resident Elke McAteer was just “blown away” by the fireworks display this year.
   ”I thought the fireworks were truly spectacular, especially the finale,” she said. “That just blew me away. But the best part is how wonderful our community is. There are so many activities, programs, events that are available to us, and now having an amazing Fourth of July celebration each year (hopefully) just tops the cake.”
   ”We thank everyone for their continued support of the Foundation for Bordentown Traditions,” Ms. McGowan said. “Without the community support, we would not be able to have the fireworks back in Bordentown.
   The foundation started in February 2012 and was established to raise money to bring the fireworks back to Bordentown, she said.
   ”We also are planning our third annual Bordentown Traditions Night at the Trenton Thunder which is Aug. 7; tickets are available now for $11 through the foundation members,” she said. “We hope everyone can join us at the Trenton Thunder for a great game.”