Woodbridge's Fireworks Remain Postponed, Despite Rule Relaxation

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Even though Gov. Murphy said Monday that fireworks, parades, festivals and country fairs can happen this summer, Woodbridge Twp. is still sticking to its decision, made April 12, to postpone its fireworks show to the fall.

That is because Mayor John McCormac is worried about the crowd size that will pack Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park for the show.

"I just don't think we can achieve the limits that are necessary to be safe," said McCormac on Tuesday. "How can we get 10,000 people to be socially distant with each other in a park?"

McCormac later elaborated: "We could have people socially distant in the park with boxes, but we could never control the people outside the park on the streets and on lawns of houses."

"The key word is 'postponed,'" emphasized McCormac. "We really do want to have them and plan to have them in September or October. We just want to make sure people are safe."

McCormac said he thinks it will be safer to have large events in September or October.

Murphy said Monday he is lifting all COVID-19 outdoor gathering limits and ending the 50 percent restaurant capacity starting May 19, as long as social distancing can be maintained.

"Events that we all associate with summer, from fireworks displays to parades to the state fair, can all go forward, as long as attendees keep six feet of distance," Murphy.

South Amboy and Perth Amboy will also not be having their annual July 4th fireworks this year, as fundraising for the show usually starts back in January. 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)

South Amboy/Perth Amboy Fireworks Canceled (May 3)

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