Don't Look for Fourth of July Fireworks in Galloway Township

Once again, Galloway Township residents will have to either strain their ears or take a ride to neighboring Port Republic or Egg Harbor City Monday night if they wish to take in a Fourth of July Fireworks display.

The township had its own display for about seven years in the 1990s, beginning in 1992, Deputy Director of Public Works Division of Community Services Beth Stasuk said, but that was when community events were funded through the township.

Once the Community Events Fund was created in 1998, and the township stopped providing funding for a fireworks display, the sky went dark on the Fourth of July.

“It costs between $10 and $15,000,” Stasuk said. “We did it for a long time, before the library went up and there was a skate park. We’d like to do it again.”

She said fireworks are much more expensive for a Fourth of July celebration than they are at any other time throughout the year. The difference is about $8,000, according to Stasuk.

She also said she wouldn’t want to compete with neighboring towns. She’d prefer to see a fireworks display be used as part of the township carnival, set to be held Aug. 4-6 this year at the municipal complex.

“All events we do are done because businesses want to contribute,” Stasuk said.

Any businesses that would like to contribute can reach Stasuk at 609-652-8657, extension 12.

However, Fourth of July fireworks don’t appear to be in the mix for a township that plans to host one of the biggest parades in the state Monday morning.

Galloway citizens who choose to set off their own fireworks will be doing so illegally, and the township’s police department will enforce the spirit of the law.

“We try to be understanding of the holiday,” Galloway Township Police Chief Patrick Moran said. “If there are children involved, or if there is any risk or annoyance, we will enforce the law.”