Two New Jersey Cities Jointly Hosting July 3rd Fireworks & Patriotic Boat ParadeLocal NewsUpdated on Aug 28, 2018 View more like this | Visit PERTH AMBOY, NJ | Contact Essential Public Relations LLC |
Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda (center- holding tote bag)and South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry (to her right) announced that their cities are going to jointly host a spectacular fireworks display over Raritan Bay on July 3rd. Before rockets blaze red and pyrotechnics burst in the air, more than 50 pleasure craft and commercial vessels will cruise around the harbor. The boats will be beautifully decorated, from stem to stern, with bright-colored lights, flags, Americana messages and large banners. The event is called the First Stars & Stripes Boat Parade.
Photo by Perth Amboy BID
Photo by Perth Amboy BID
The mayors of South Amboy and Perth Amboy – in alliance with the not-for-profit Celebrate our Stars & Stripes organization – today announced an inaugural Patriotic Boat Parade to occur before the world-class fireworks spectacular begins around 9 PM on Tuesday, July 3rd.
The First Annual Stars & Stripes Boat Parade will recognize the sacrifices made by brave warriors – past and present – in the United States Army and Air Force as well as those who serve on waters close to home and around the world in the U.S. Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and local marine police. The flotilla will feature 50 or more power craft and sailboats beautifully decorated, from stem to stern, with bright-colored lights, flags, patriotic messages, and large banners.
The announcement was made during a news media briefing and donor-appreciation luncheon aboard the Cornucopia’s St. Charles Vessel. More than 150 corporate sponsors, small business owners, and individual donors attended the event. WCTC-AM Morning Show Host Bert Baron served as the event’s emcee.
Over 60,000 residents of the Amboys, along their families and friends, are expected to view the boat parade and Celebrate our Stars & Stripes’ pyrotechnics display. World-renowned Garden State Fireworks will design and present an imaginative extravaganza featuring incredible bursts of light and booming sounds. Fireworks, which can be seen and heard all around Raritan Bay, mark the nation’s birth and remind everyone that the very course of history can be changed when free, brave people unite to achieve a special cause.
The Celebrate Committee’s Honorary Chairs, Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz and South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry also launched the fundraising campaign for the Independence Day programs. The fireworks, boat parade, and many fun activities in both cities are free events and privately funded by donations. The Celebrate our Stars & Stripes organization also covers public safety expenses for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technician units, and teams from the public works department.
Thanking all past donors, Celebrate Chairman Barry Rosengarten, Co-Chair Michael “Mickey” Gross, President of the South Amboy City Council, and Co-Chair William “Bill” Petrick, President of Perth Amboy’s City Council, noted that expenses continue to increase. The leadership team asked supporters to make their contributions today by visiting the Celebrate website (www.celebratestarandstripes.com), clicking on the GoFundMe link (www.gofundme.com/celebratestarsandstripes) or sending donations to CPA-Celebrate our Stars & Stripes, 211 Front Street, Perth Amboy, N.J. 08861.
Speaking about the alliance between the two cities, Mayor Diaz said, “I’m grateful that Perth Amboy has the opportunity to join with Mayor Henry, Council President Gross and the people of South Amboy to celebrate our great nation’s birthday. On July 3rd families, friends and loved ones can relax and have fun outdoors by the waterfront, watch the great new boat parade and then look skyward as the rockets blaze red, white, and blue. I also want to thank each of our corporate sponsors and the Celebrate our Stars & Stripes Committee − especially Yolanda Flores and Junel Hutchinson − as well as all the volunteers who devote many hours planning, organizing and creating this event.”
Perth Amboy is also planning a full day of events. Families can picnic, play, and relax in parks along Perth Amboy’s waterfront. Activities include beach volleyball, basketball, and tennis, strolling along the waterfront and sunbathing. Sadowski Parkway will become a vehicle-free walkway where children can safety play. The City has set aside 10 spaces for food trucks that will offer ice cream, tacos and burgers, snacks, Fourth of July souvenirs, and refreshments.
Sign Up for the Stars & Stripes Boat Parade
Boat Parade Co-Captains Gary Rumpf and Jeff Steuber, who are volunteer representatives of the Perth Amboy Business Improvement District (BID), are contacting the area’s yacht clubs and regional marinas. They are recruiting boaters from all around Raritan Bay. Boat owners can get more details at the Celebrate ours Stars & Stripes Boat Parade web page (http://www.celebratestarsandstripes.com/boatparade.html. or emailing Mr. Steuber at [email protected]
The United States Coast Guard has approved the boat parade route. The flotilla, which will be led by Perth Amboy’s River Keeper Bill Schultz, will gather by the Outerbridge Bridge. After cruising past Perth Amboy’s waterfront, boaters move across Raritan Bay to South Amboy and proceed to the designated anchor site, which will have magnificent views of the fireworks display.
South Amboy Welcomes Guests to Enjoy Fireworks
In announcing the fireworks and parade, South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry said, “Once again we are pleased to celebrate this great American Independence Day with our neighbors across the river. We welcome all South Amboy residents as well as family and friends from near and far to enjoy everything our City on the Rise has to offer – especially our beautiful waterfront and park facilities. On behalf of myself and the entire City Council, I offer sincere thanks to all sponsors for their generous donations without which none of this would be possible. I also would be remiss not to thank Council President Mickey Gross, who goes above and beyond to make this a spectacular event.”
Prior to and during the fireworks, a local radio station will simulcast Americana music. The selection includes a full program of American songs that range from the patriotic – the Star-Spangle Banner, America the Beautiful, and patriotic marches – to popular hits by the Garden State’s Bruce Springsteen and John Bon Jovi.
For many years, Mr. Rosengarten has been the driving force behind this community-focused project. He organizes, coordinates, and manages the thousands of details that go into to staging the Independence Day fireworks celebration, the new boat parade, and fun activities. Long in that role, he is the chief fundraising advocate for Celebrate our Stars & Stripes events.
Sharing his deep commitment to serving the community and honoring America’s legacy of freedom, Mr. Rosengarten said, “Our patriotic boat parade and fireworks are a visual representation of this nation’s core beliefs. Each brilliant burst of light and booming sound touches our hearts and resonates with our senses, a way of emphasizing that America’s freedom needs to be protected and continually nurtured.”
About the City of Perth Amboy
Perth Amboy, an urban community with a rich cultural history and a more than three hundred-year-old maritime and industrial legacy, is an interconnection point for major highways, roadways and waterways. Founded in 1683 and chartered in 1718, it served as the state capital until 1790 and is home of the Royal Governor William Franklin’s Mansion. Perth Amboy, is known for its beautiful waterfront, downtown shopping, and many fabulous restaurants. For additional information about the City of Perth Amboy, please visit: www.ci.perthamboy.nj.us.
About the City of South Amboy
South Amboy, incorporated as a city on April 11, 1908, is steeped in history. It was the site of such historical events as the first N.J. Airmail Flight, the first commercial railroad in the U.S., and the Camden-Amboy Railroad. The City was also the home of Colonel Stevens, who brought to New Jersey, the “John Bull,” the first locomotive delivered in crates, and had it meticulously assembled and tested by Isaac Dripps as the citizenry looked on in amazement. Today, South Amboy is a designated Transit Village, located alongside major area highways in the Garden State. For additional information about the City of South Amboy, please visit: http://www.southamboynj.gov.
Celebrate Committee Chairman Barry Rosengarten (at the podium) describes the incredible pyrotechnics display that Garden State Fire is planning for July 3rd. Standing alongside Barry is August Santore, who is one of the world's leading designers of fireworks spectaculars. He and his brother, Christopher, will create the display that will be viewed by the more than 60,000 people standing on the shore surrounding Raritan Bay.
Mayor Fred Henry and Mayor Wilda Diaz encourage everyone to view the most spectacular fireworks during America's Independence Day Celebration by coming to the Amboys on July 3rd.
Two New Jersey Cities Jointly Hosting July 3rd Fireworks & Patriotic Boat Parade
160 Water Street PERTH AMBOY, NJ 08861
Celebrate our Stars & Stripes is hosting a patriotic boat parade around Raritan Bay before the fireworks display on July 3rd. More than 50 pleasure and commercial craft are expected to join the flotilla. After the parade, boaters can anchor their craft a safe distance from the fireworks barge, and enjoy an incredible up-close view of the pyrotechnics. For more information about joining the First Annual Stars & Stripes Boat Parade, contact Jeff Steuber by email at [email protected].
