Cherry Hill, N.J. Cancels Its 4th of July Fireworks Show
By David Madden
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) -- Another South Jersey town has decided to forego fireworks on this year's Fourth of July.
Cherry Hill officials say public safety concerns are the reason behind their decision.
Over the last few years, several communities near Cherry Hill canceled their own shows, resulting in larger crowds at Cherry Hill's event, held at the stadium of Cherry Hill West High School.
Camden County has also ended an annual display in Cooper River Park, in Pennsauken.
Cherry Hill Township spokeswoman Bridget Palmer says police and fire officials recommended the cancellation to municipal officials.
"We were not confident that, if something should go wrong, we would be able to quickly and effectively respond, and that was the biggest concern and really the chief factor driving the decision," Palmer tells KYW Newsradio.
And yes, there have been complaints about the township's decision. Corporate donations that paid for the fireworks show will be used to fund a number of new and expanded summer activities in Cherry Hill including extra concerts, a full-moon hike through a farm, and a restaurant week in August.
