4th Of July Fireworks Unite Parsippany Once Again (PICS)

PARSIPPANY, NJ — The people of Parsippany hadn't gathered for a major event in more than a year. But for the Fourth of July fireworks show, the town could finally unite once more.

Thousands came to the fields of Parsippany Hills High School to jam to the concert and then enjoy the fireworks. Hometown band Overboard got kids and adults alike on their feet. Their set ranged from Jersey favorite Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen to Britney Spears, Dexy's Midnight Runners and a finale of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Parsippany endured 4,263 coronavirus cases as of Friday. Some towns, such as nearby Denville, even delayed their fireworks until September. But a low number of recent cases, high vaccination totals and a rollback of state restrictions made Parsippany's celebration possible.

"We wanted to make sure we followed (state) guidelines," said Mayor Michael Soriano. "Not only that, but the COVID numbers in Parsippany were dropping. We felt we could do it and do it safe, especially because it’s outdoors."

But the event required perfect timing, according to Soriano.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced May 3 that the state would end most of its capacity restrictions later that month. By May 19, New Jersey would remove its limits on outdoor gatherings.

On May 5, the township announced that Parsippany's Fourth of July fireworks would make a return. Soriano says the prior guidelines and unpredictability didn't affect the timeline for planning the event.

"If it had come out any later than early May, we could not have done the fireworks," he said. "I’m glad that the timing just worked out."

And with that, the sun set and temporarily darkened the sky before a barrage of fireworks launched. After more than a year isolated, the public spread throughout the field — with some distance between groups — finally together and facing the sky for the return of an annual tradition.

"It definitely means that we’re getting out of this thing," said Bill Stone, a Parsippany officer watching with loved ones. "Hopefully, we don’t go back. I’m a military veteran, so fireworks have a special place in my heart. Parsippany has some of the best around, if you ask me."

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