MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — The Independence Day Celebration scheduled for July 3 in Mount Holly was canceled due to safety concerns, the township said on Monday.
Township officials and the Mount Holly Police Department said the decision was made after "meticulously monitoring...events throughout New Jersey."
Leaders pointed to additional, significant costs that would be incurred by the Township and residents should they proceed.
"With our spectators and vendors' safety top of mind, we could not enact a viable, actionable solution in such a short period of time to alleviate our security concerns," the joint statement said.
The event, held at Iron Works Park for years, includes live music, food, and fireworks at the end of the night, among other things.
Over the last few months, carnivals and other large group gatherings, such as those in Maple Shade and Florence, have been subject to cancellations or even arrests in some cases due to violent or unruly acts.
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