Beachwood To Mark 75th Year Of Fireworks On The Toms River

by Patricia A. Miller

It’s not just a few bottle rockets and sparklers.

Many who live along the Toms River attend the annual Beachwood Fireworks on the Toms River every Fourth of July. At one time, all the small river towns each had their own fireworks display.

But that tradition slowly disappeared, as the cost of insuring the events became too prohibitive.

Only Beachwood persevered. And the show will go on for the Fourth of July, as long as the weather holds up on Saturday. It will be the borough’s 75th anniversary of hosting the display.

The Beachwood fireworks on the Toms River typically draws about 10,000 visitors to this small borough. The entire police force will be on duty for the Fourth.

“We have an understanding with the police department,” Mayor Ronald Roma has said. “Nobody takes off on the Fourth of July.”

It costs the borough roughly $20,000 to put on the show. Much of the cost is underwritten by donations from organizations and companies like JCP&L and the Toms River Country Club, the mayor said.

But donations from other towns that benefit from the fireworks show and small donations are still welcome. Donations to offset the cost of the show can be sent year-round to Beachwood Fireworks on the River, 1600 Pinewald Road, Beachwood NJ 08722.

“The Beachwood Fireworks Committee is asking you to please lend your financial support by sending in your donation to help fund this spectacular show and share in making the Fourth of July awe-inspiring,” according to the borough website.