Beachwood Fourth Of July Fireworks Postponed Amid Coronavirus

BEACHWOOD, NJ — Beachwood officials have postponed the annual Fourth of July fireworks over the Toms River, a result of Gov. Phil Murphy extending New Jersey's public health emergency order on the coronavirus pandemic until July 5.

In a letter published on the borough's Facebook page, Mayor Ron Roma said the annual fireworks display has been pushed to Labor Day, Sept. 5, "for the health and safety of all involved."

Murphy on Friday extended the public health emergency order that he first put in place in March for another 30 days, saying the extension "allows us to continue to work to save lives, while safely and securely reopening our state's economy."

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More than 163,000 New Jersey residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, and 12,049 people have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. There have been 8,900 cases in Ocean County, with 766 deaths, according to the county health department. But the rate of the spread of the infection has slowed.

As the rate of reported new cases continues to decrease, state officials have been easing restrictions in various aspects of life. The state anticipates allowing outdoor dining at restaurants and bars starting June 15, and more openings are coming June 22.

But it's unclear when the number of people permitted in outdoor gatherings will rise enough to accommodate the kind of crowd that typically come for the fireworks display; Roma estimates nearly 15,000 people pack into the area for the show. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The donation-funded pyrotechnics show dates back to 1922, when flare guns were used to send the fireworks into the sky. It draws thousands to the banks of the Toms River every July 4, from Island Heights on the north bank of the river, to spots in Ocean Gate and Berkeley Township farther downstream.

In Beachwood and Pine Beach vehicles jam Route 9 as spectators swell the towns, which have a combined population of 13,000. Side streets fill with parked cars, and pedestrians turn the riverfront beaches into mass picnics.

It is the potential for those crowds that creates the issue.

"It would make it impossible to practice the Governor's order of limited outdoor group gatherings and social distancing," Roma wrote. Public gatherings currently are limited to 25 people outdoors, with social distancing in place.

The decision was a joint agreement of borough officials and the Beachwood Fireworks Committee.

It's one of the few times in the history of the celebration that it's been postponed. Two years ago the display was canceled entirely after the company contracted to provide the show was not able to follow through because a delivery truck driver called out sick, with no replacement.

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