|
LIGHTS OVER LAKEHURST
POSTPONED FIREWORKS DISPLAY IS SHORT BUT SWEET
By Kim Fink
 | | --Photo By Kim Fink The July Fourth fireworks display at Lake Horicon, Lakehurst, was postponed last week, resulting in a short but sweet Saturday display. |
|
Clear skies and little wind were ideal conditions for Saturday night's firework display at Lake Horicon in Lakehurst.
The threat of thunderstorms caused the cancellation of Wednesday, July 4's performance, disappointing residents who were hoping to complete their July Fourth holiday with an evening of fireworks.
Kristen Sabo, Manchester, said she was planning on watching the fireworks on Wednesday with her husband after attending the Lakehurst parade and car show.
"We were surprised that they cancelled the fireworks so early in the evening because we really thought the rain was going to hold off," said Sabo.
But rain it did. A light shower was just enough to cause concern for local firemen.
"It was a judgment call, but I think they made the right decision," said Scott Behnke of Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company. "Unfortunately, we're not going to have as many people as we would have had on Wednesday."
Sergeant Ron Heinzman of the Lakehurst Police Department estimated about 700 people in attendance, approximately half the amount they've had in previous years.
The crowd began to gather at about 8 p.m., setting up their beach chairs and blankets on the sand along the water's edge. Many families took the opportunity to meet with neighbors and some of the older children even took a dip in the lake before the show began. Suzanne Critti, Lakehurst, was playing in the sand with her 10-month-old son, Dominic, while her older daughter went off to meet some friends.
"I was a little worried about taking Dominic to the fireworks because of the noise but he seemed to do well at the parade with the firetruck sirens going off, so I think he'll be fine."
Dominic wasn't the only infant out past bedtime. Nicole and Kevin Damato of Manchester brought their 9-week-old twins, Emily and Abby, with them to get their first glimpse of fireworks. A Pine Lake resident for 28 years, Nicole said she has been enjoying the Lakehurst firework
show since she was a kid.
"About 11 years I think," said Nicole. "They (the township) do a nice job."
Not all attendees were there solely to enjoy the show, though. Eight-year-old Jarvis Brennan had another goal in mind when he headed down to Lake Horicon.
"I'm raising money for kids with cancer," Jarvis stated proudly as he stood behind his
lemonade stand. All the money raised from
the sale of lemonade will be donated to the "Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation," a
charity focused on raising awareness about childhood cancer.
Finally, at 9:07 p.m., the first rocket was launched into the night sky, exploding into a kaleidoscope of color. The crowd cheered as the show continued for the next 10 minutes. Onlookers gasped and applauded the display as the fireworks got bigger and brighter, reflecting on the lake's glistening water.
But way too soon, in the minds of some, the finale lit up the sky, one blast after another until the night sky was once again dark and still.
Some residents were surprised at how quickly the show ended.
"It was way too short. Nice, but too short,"
said Joe Sloan, Lakehurst, who came to the
lake early with some friends from Whiting. "We waited a long time for a 10-minute show.
It should have been a little longer."
Others however enjoyed the show in spite of the quick ending. Sabo was happy she came.
"Short but sweet," she said. "It was a lovely display."
| 
)