Lost Dogg: Why Was There No Jersey City July 4 Headliner? Mayor Gives Answer, But...

JERSEY CITY, NJ — After the rains cleared up on Tuesday, Jersey City held its annual July 4 celebration with food trucks, music, and Grucci fireworks — but the celebration didn't have a famous headliner, as previous years did.

Jersey City's Independence Day events have featured Snoop Dogg, Akon, Pit Bull, Kool and the Gang, and other major rap and rock acts.

So what happened?

The headliner announcement was noticeably absent when Jersey City released details of its annual event last month.

Patch asked the City Hall spokesperson over several weeks whether there would be a headliner, and the reason for the omission this year — money? Something else? — but received no response.

And we weren't the only ones.

On the eve of the events, Monday, July 3, Mayor Steven Fulop gave an answer.

The mayor, who plans to run for governor in 2025, Tweeted, "Unfortunately we aren’t doing a concert this year for 4th of July as we have construction at Exchange Place with park improvements so logistics would have been difficult but we will be back next year! Hope everyone enjoys the fireworks tomorrow + market. Flashback pictures - @SnoopDogg."

Exchange Place, on the waterfront, has been undergoing construction, and the light rail stop there was closed on the day of the event. But members of the public weren't buying Fulop's late-in-the-game explanation.

"There's no concert because the city is broke thanks to you," said one fan.

"That's a piss poor excuse, Jersey City isn't limited to just Exchange Place," wrote another commenter.

"I know you're too busy running for gov to give a damn about JC," wrote a third, who said too many people were blasting fireworks from their homes and buildings.

Still, the celebration featured a roster of musicians throughout the day, as well as food trucks and Grucci fireworks.

What do you think? Comment below or email Jersey City Patch.