Economy Means No East Brunswick Fireworks

There was music and vendors, games and food.

Last year’s Independence Day Celebration at the Cultural Arts Center was one to remember, and for now, it may be the last.

While East Brunswick sponsored a Fourth of July Celebration last year to help celebrate the township’s 150th birthday, this year there will be no such celebration. 

Mayor David Stahl said that while having a celebration last year made sense, this year it doesn’t, especially given the current state of the economy. Last year's celebration cost approximately $12,000, said Chief Financial Officer Lou Neely.

“The bottom line, as I said last year when we did have it, is I run a pretty austere ship in terms of finances,” said Mayor Stahl. “I like to celebrate it like everyone else does, but on the other hand, when I’m cutting back on services to residents, I have to look at what is import.

“I have a hard time spending money on fireworks when homeowners are having a hard time paying their mortgage,” he continued.

With no Fourth of July celebration planned in East Brunswick, residents will once again have to celebrate Independence Day with their neighbors in Milltown.

As usual, Milltown has a great line up of activities to celebrate Independence Day. The festivities kick off on Monday, July 4, at 6 a.m. with a fishing derby then continue through the day with a parade, live music, vendors, fireworks, food and more.

It’s a great time as usual, and with a theme of Milltown Rocks the 4th of July, it promises to be a memorable one. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Van Liew Avenue and continues down Main Street to East Lincoln and then to JFK Boulevard, ending at Violet Terrace. Festivities will continue from noon to 3 p.m. at Borough Park, with rides for the kids, ice cream, food, music and more.

Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. at the park. For directions, click here.