After officials twice had to cancel the town’s annual July 4th celebration due to rain, residents finally got to have their party at the pool with fireworks, food, and live entertainment on Friday, Sept. 2. Bands performed songs from the 1950s to today all night long, while residents ate hot dogs, sausages, and bean salad. Children played in bounce houses and pools with family and friends. The firework show was the popular attraction that wrapped up the whole party.
Resident Katherine Chen, 11, said she came to the celebration to play with her sister and cousin in the bounce houses. Her cousin Krystal Lia, 14, said she came to see the fireworks. Lia goes to Secaucus High School, plays in the marching band, and said she also came to see some of her friends.
The firework show was the popular event that wrapped up the whole party.
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Some families spent the whole day at the pool with friends and family for the fireworks, like Michele Castro. Castro brought her daughter Kelsy, Castro’s friend Donna, and Donna’s son Alex. “We’re definitely staying for fireworks,” Castro said. She said she’s been waiting for the celebration.
An 8-year-old attendee named Isabella said that she was disappointed in July when the party was canceled, because she didn’t get to see her friends.
“We were separated, and they went somewhere, and I went to my grandmother’s to watch fireworks on a hill,” Isabella said. She was happy to see them last week.
Most residents said they didn’t mind the cancellations. “As long as they have it,” Frankie Monnecka said. He brought his two children to the celebration. “We come every year for the celebration, and we stay for the fireworks. The town, council, and mayor do a great job to do this for the residents.”
Samantha Meyers can be reached at samantham@hudsonreporter.com.