Businesses Step Up to Pay for Lower Fireworks

NORTH CAPE MAY — The skies will light up here July 5 with fireworks, an event that looked unlikely in March when Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) informed Lower Township it would not pay for the event.
DRBA’s budget was squeezed at the state level. Price tag for the firework’s show is $50,000.
Lower Township Council initially considered an Independence Day Festival along the bay this year minus the fireworks. A small turnout was predicted without the rocket’s red glare and bombs bursting in air.
Lower Township Deputy Mayor Kevin Lare said township normally spends $28,000 on amusements rides for the festival without paying for fireworks. He said donors came forward to pay for the fireworks.
Lare said he proposed to council if he was able to raise the difference between the $28,000 and $50,000, would council divert the amusement ride money to help pay for the fireworks?
Lare said he contacted 22 people and secured the money to pay for the remaining balance to pay for a pyrotechnics event. He said the fireworks show will be of normal length using the same vendor and barge as DRBA contracts.
Amusement rides will still be available at the Independence Day Festival but will not be free as in past years. Patrons will be able to purchase a wristband to enjoy all the rides and play the games, said Lare.
A frequent question from Herald readers: Why does Lower Township always set off fireworks on July 3 or July 5? The answer is the launching barge for the fireworks will be in use for Cape May’s fireworks show on July 4.
In addition, the person handling all the permits for the fireworks show is out of town until July 5.
DRBA spokesman James Salmon said the Cape May-Lewes Ferry parking lot and lawn will be open for the fireworks show.
Total donations received for the show were $22,100.00
Donors for Lower Township’s fireworks show are:
Good Night Irene’s Brew Pub, Sturdy Savings Bank, Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, Victoria Heun, Best Buy Modular Homes, Cape May Whale Watcher & Spirit of Cape May, Conifer Realty, LLC, Ford Scott & Associates, Ken & Tammy Gomez, Hatch Mott McDonald, Holly Shores Camping Resort, The Lobster House, Bayshore Restaurant & Bar, Lund’s Fisheries, Inc., Bayshore Landscaping, Monzo Catanese Attorneys at Law, The NIA Group, Seashore Campsites Inc., Smeltzer & Sons Feed and Pet Supplies, Jack & Patti Sparks, Teresa and Ed Henry/Harpoon Henry’s, South Jersey Gas, Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc., Carl Schnekenburger and Kathleen & Joseph Walls.