Community Corner

Twp. Fireworks Display Should Be as Good as Before

The band Kindred Spirits will perform to entertain the crowd prior to the start of Lawrence Township's Independence Weekend pyrotechnics show on the Rider University campus on July 2.

The Lawrence Township Recreation Department’s efforts to raise $20,000 in private donations and corporate sponsorships to fund this year’s Independence Weekend fireworks display may still be “a couple thousand” dollars shy of its goal, but the pyrotechnics show will still go on as planned and will be comparable in size to the shows of years past, recreation department Superintendent Steve Groeger said this week.

Preceding the fireworks display at Rider University on Saturday, July 2, the band Kindred Spirits – which has performed at the event in prior years – will entertain the crowd, Groeger said. Sunday, June 3, has been set aside as the rain date.

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

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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.

Mayor Greg Puliti has been donating to the fireworks fund all and a number of donations have been made by township residents and visitors to the Lawrence Senior Center. Lawrenceville School also recently made a donation of $2,500.

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Groeger said the recreation department plans to collect donations from people in the crowd during the night of the fireworks display to kick-start the fund for the 2012 show.

Groeger said the July 2 fireworks will likely begin between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m., once the sky is “good and dark.” He suggested that anyone wanting to enjoy the concert by Kindred Spirits arrive at the Rider University campus at 2083 Lawrence Rd. (Route 206) no later than 7:30 p.m.

The township police department recommends that, if possible, attendees walk to the fireworks display, as parking will be limited on the Rider University campus.

“Traffic in the area will be very heavy before and after the display.  Additionally, anyone who will be picking up spectators after the event are strongly encouraged to preplan a meeting location away from the Rider University campus, as the campus will be closed to all but exiting vehicles until all parking areas are empty,” police said in a news release.     


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here