Reminder: Lawrence Fireworks Display is Tonight

Don’t forget – Lawrence Township’s Independence Weekend will take place this evening, Saturday, July 2, on the Rider University campus at 2083 Lawrence Rd. (Route 206).

The concert by the band Kindred Spirits – which has performed at the event in prior years – will begin about 7:30 p.m. The fireworks will follow sometime between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m., once the sky if “good and dark.”

The event is the direct result of a fundraising effort undertaken by Lawrence Township Recreation Department.

The township’s annual fireworks show, held on or about Independence Day, dates back probably 30 years or more, according to recreation department Superintendent Steve Groeger. But last year’s show was cancelled when funding was cut to help balance the municipal budget.

Realizing that municipal funding was not going to be available this year either, the recreation department started a fundraising campaign last year to restore the fireworks show this year. Groeger said money was raised by holding the township’s first Red, White & Bang Kids Triathlon on Labor Day – an event that will be held again this September. Other fundraising events have been held this year and donation canisters have been placed at the checkout counters of numerous delicatessens, restaurants and other businesses in town.

He said about $18,000 has been raised, guaranteeing that tonight’s show will be comparable in size and quality to the shows of years past.

In signs that will be posted on the Rider campus tonight and in a news release that was sent out this week, the recreation department thanks all the supporters whose donations have made the event possible.

“The fireworks are back in Lawrence Township. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, organizations and residents the sky over Rider University will once again be bright with the lights of bursting shells and fireworks,” the release reads.

Contributing to cover the costs of the grand finale salute were Rider University, the Lawrenceville School, the law firm of Stark and Stark, and Mayor Greg Puliti (who donated ).

Donations from Delaware Valley Umpires, Lawrence Township Junior Baseball/Softball, the Lawrence Democrats and the law firm Mason, Griffin, and Pierson are paying for the sky rocket salute.

And tonight’s firecracker salute is due to “the dozens of families and individuals who sent donations, dropped money in canisters and contributed once again to make Lawrence Township fireworks a reality.”

Groeger said several tables will be set up tonight at different locations on the Rider campus to collect donations from people in the crowd to kick-start the fund for the 2012 fireworks.

Special Note:

The following notice was issued by the police department:

Heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic is expected and detours will be established around the area of Rider University between 9 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. 

Additionally, there will be no traffic allowed "inbound" between 9:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. Vehicles will be required to follow the detours during this time. 

Also, due to the fact that no "inbound" traffic will be allowed, if anyone is planning on picking up someone after the fireworks display, they should preplan a place to meet after the display.