South Amboy/Perth Amboy Fireworks Canceled

SOUTH AMBOY, NJ — Even though Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday that fireworks, parades, festivals and country fairs can happen this summer, South Amboy and Perth Amboy will not be having their annual July 4th fireworks show.

This is because the fundraising and permit process for the popular show started back in January, and it was too soon at that time to know if large gatherings would be allowed, said a spokeswoman for the non-profit that puts on the fireworks display.

The South Amboy/Perth Amboy fireworks were put on every year by Celebrate Perth Amboy, a local non-profit. Its chairman is Barry Rosengarten, a local realtor and developer.

"Sadly, we will not go forward this year with our Independence Day program," said Yolanda Flores of Celebrate Perth Amboy. "Our window to make the decision is very narrow due for the permits and fundraising efforts that are necessary and approved by early January."

"This January we were unable to predict the safety of crowds, vaccination roll-outs and the state mandates regarding crowds," she continued. "We had no way of predicting that far into July. In addition we were hesitant about fundraising at a time when businesses were not fully open and the economics of so many individuals and companies were and are impacted."

The Perth Amboy/South Amboy fireworks were similarly canceled last summer, in 2020.

"We are looking forward to coordinating a fabulous show in 2022 if and when we are permitted, and is safe to do so," said Flores.

Woodbridge Twp., which hosts one of the largest fireworks shows in Central Jersey, also pre-emptively canceled their fireworks show for 2021. Last month, Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac said he had to cancel the show as Gov. Phil Murphy has not lifted his outdoor crowd size limit.

McCormac said Tuesday that Woodbridge will not reconsider even though Murphy said Monday fireworks can proceed. McCormac did not give a reason why.

"The events that we all associate with summer — from fireworks displays to parades to the state fair — can all go forward, as long as attendees are keeping six feet of distance," Murphy said Monday.

Woodbridge's fireworks show on the Sewaren waterfront typically attracts thousands.

Similarly, Somerset County already decided in late March to cancel their summer 2021 fireworks show.

Related: Woodbridge Cancels 2021 July 4th Fireworks (April 12)

Somerset County Cancels July 4th Fireworks Again Due To COVID-19 (March 25)

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