Berkeley Township Area July 4th Fireworks 2018 Guide

BEACHWOOD, NJ - Beachwood's annual Fourth of July fireworks on the Toms River has always been a good show. This year will be no exception.

The show officially starts at 9 p.m., or dusk on the Fourth of July, according to the borough website.

But Beachwood police, volunteers and CERT team members will start posting temporary "no parking" signs on many streets by the end of the month. Every Beachwood police officer traditionally works a shift, and this year will be no exception, Mayor Ronald Roma has said.

"We have an understanding with the police department," Roma has said. "Nobody takes off on the Fourth of July."

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Once upon a time, all the little towns on the Toms River each had their own fireworks display. But that tradition slowly disappeared, as the cost of insuring the events became too expensive.

Only Beachwood persevered. And residents of Toms River and the smaller river towns now traditionally gather at the Beachwood Beach or watch from carefully guarded locations in nearby Pine Beach, Bayville, Ocean Gate and Island Heights for the roughly 20 minute show.

The event usually draws around 10,000 visitors to this small borough. Beachwood Beach and the bluffs over the river are the best viewing spots, but the show can be seen as far down as Ocean Gate.

And many boaters make the trip from Barnegat Bay and ride down the river to see the display from the water.

For several hours before and after the show, the Toms River is so crowded with boats it looks like a watery Garden State Parkway. The New Jersey State Marine Police will also be on handSubscribe

The fireworks are set off from a high bluff overlooking the Toms River. It's a good spot that can be secured, away from visitors. And it's a lot better than back when the fireworks were set off from a barge in the river, Roma said.

It costs the borough roughly $20,000 to put on the show. Much of the cost is underwritten by donations from organizations and companies like JCP&L and the Toms River Country Club, the mayor said.

But donations from other towns that benefit from the fireworks show and small donations are still welcome. Donations to offset the cost of the show can be sent year-round to Beachwood Fireworks on the River, 1600 Pinewald Road, Beachwood NJ 08722.

"The Beachwood Fireworks Committee is asking you to please lend your financial support by sending in your donation to help fund this spectacular show and share in making the Fourth of July awe-inspiring," according to the borough website.

By Patricia A. Miller Image: Courtesy of Shutterstock