Monroe’s sixth annual July 4 celebration is in the works
By: Candice Leigh Helfand
MONROE In less than 2 weeks, Thompson Park will be over-run with thousands of patriotic townspeople looking to celebrate the birth of America with family, friends, food, fun and, of course, fireworks.
The Monroe Township Recreation Department is preparing for its sixth annual Independence Day celebration, an event that draws between 4,000 and 5,000 people, said Thomas Allen, superintendent of the Recreation Department.
"The park is completely full," he said.
And this year’s is shaping up to be one of the best yet.
For one thing, this year’s event will have more vendors than ever, selling food, crafts, toys and more. Some will be coming from as far as Brooklyn, N.Y., and quite a few will be new to the festivities.
There will also be a variety of rides of all kinds, from ponies to inflatable.
"We’ve got it all," said Mary Lange, program supervisor for the Recreation Department.
As an added treat, Sunset Boulevard, a local band, is set to perform for the crowd during the day.
The event will culminate after sunset with the much-anticipated fireworks display lighting the sky high above Thompson Park and reflecting off the 30-acre Manalapan Lake.
"It’s a beautiful spot to watch the fireworks," Mr. Allen said.
The fireworks, to be presented by International Fireworks, will be an even bigger blast for Thompson Park celebrators than it has been in the past, officials say.
"They have promised us new things this year," Ms. Lange said.
They will also be longer than last year’s show, which Ms. Lange said lasted for about 30 minutes.
The festivities will begin at 5 p.m., and continue on until dusk (around 8:30 p.m.), at which point the fireworks display will begin.
"It’s a good day, and a good way to meet people," Mr. Allen said.
You can find more information about the Independence Day event, as well as contact information for the township Recreation Department, by logging on to www.monroerec.com.