A few raindrops can’t keep Secaucus residents down for long. Not when a Calypso band is playing and a real old-fashioned cotton candy machine is whirling out sweet, green fluff.
And don’t forget the tri-colored snow cones.
The town’s administration and Recreation Department employees put together the annual pool party held at the Swim Center on Koelle Blvd. last week. The party was cancelled Friday night due to possible thunderstorms, but Tuesday night’s affair built up to a blast by the end of the evening with an impressive fireworks display put on by Garden State Pyro of Berkeley Heights.
The yearly event is free to all Secaucus residents and out-of-town pool members.”It takes the whole year to plan what kind of show we’ll do,” said Deputy Mayor John Reilly. “Making sure everything is done right and safely is our big concern.”
Rockin’ and boppin’ Residents and other area members of all ages, shapes, colors and sizes seized the gray afternoon and danced and ate into the night. Lawn chairs were filled with seniors, parents, relatives and newcomers. Children were doing the Macarena dance. Seniors were line dancing, and everyone was relaxing or movin’ and a-groovin’. Even though the crowd was not up to its usual numbers due to the date change and bad weather, not a soul at the party missed a beat.
Secaucus residents John and Theresa Esposito said they have been coming to the event since the pool opened in 1977. The veteran pool partygoers said the main attraction was to see friends from town and relax in a “cordial family atmosphere.”
“It’s a nice night out. The food and entertainment is great. The fireworks are fantastic,” said Mr. Esposito. “I bring the whole family. It’s a good time for the grandkids.”
Music was performed by the Flying Mueller Brothers, a Caribbean/reggae influenced band, which plays most of the shore point shows, including Caesars in Atlantic City. Their inspired routines include Calypso and conga drums, which the audience got a chance to play.
Joe Pepe, concessionaire extraordinaire, supplied guests with copious amounts of food and cold drinks, and a wink and a laugh. Town Council members and Mayor Dennis Elwell were there to shake hands and trade a few stories and local news.
“Each year we try to do something a little different. We want to have something for everyone,” said Recreation Director John Voli.
Three new attractions were the Wild Rapids Water slide, the Rock Wall, and a Bungee Jump provided by Cliffhangers Productions in Rutherford.
In the air tonight Huber Street Elementary School student Marissa Delvicario, 11, said she first tried rock wall climbing with her father. She said she loves a challenge, and the new feature at the pool party was just the thing for her. “I’ve been going with my dad to climb at places down the shore. It’s fun,” she said. “Sometimes I get scared when I lose my grip, but I love it when I ring the bell.”
Climbers are strapped in with belts and monitored by Cliffhanger employees. The goal is to climb to the top of the structure and ring the red bell at its summit. Climbers are then lowered by the safety ropes attached to their belts.
Bobby Giangeroso, 8, said he likes the challenge and the thrill of climbing.
“This is the best pool party ever,” he said. “The Rock Wall is my favorite thing to do here.”
Lillian Perez and her son Andrew, 6, are new members to the Swim Center. They live in North Bergen. Andrew took a turn on the bungee jump.
Lillian said she had gone to the pool in Palisades Park with Andrew but finds the Swim Center a better place for the youngster.
“We love it here. He can see his friends and there are lots of things for them to do,” said Perez. “The people and the pool itself are very nice.”