The annual township celebration of July 4 is planned about a year in advance, according to Mayor Dave Fleisher.
Cherry Hill held its 4th of July celebration one day early – with some rain delays – at the Jonas C. Morris Stadium at West High.
Though gates were originally supposed to open at 7 p.m., weather conditions caused a 30-minute delay. Updates were posted on the township Facebook page, with assurances that the show would go on regardless of rain.
Mayor Dave Fleisher was involved with the event’s planning and decision-making.
“We start months in advance, really a full year in advance, pulling together elements that create, hopefully, an unforgettable night for our residents,” he said. “So that involves the fireworks display itself, food trucks, live music, the DJ and coordinating all the resources and volunteers to make it happen.”
Volunteers were stationed throughout the stadium – including at the front gates – to make sure minors were accompanied by adults and to answer any questions. The township police and fire departments were on the stadium field.
A stage was set up across that field from the entrance gate, where a DJ played music. The Cherry Hill Education Foundation had several booths at the stadium for sales of raffle tickets, snacks, candy, water and Gatorade that benefit district schools.
Jon Cohen is the the foundation’s president.
“It’s a great turnout,” he enthused. “People still stayed even though the weather is pretty bad … All the money that we raise goes right back to the classrooms. Most of it is to improve the classrooms for the teachers, money that the budget can’t cover, so we’re an all-volunteer group just trying to raise money to help teachers.”
Families and individuals set up camping chairs and blankets at the stadium or sat directly on the turf to wait for the fireworks. Some residents were adorned for the occasion, wearing everything from suits covered in stars and stripes to hats with American flags on top to Captain America T-shirts. Children could play within netting on either side of the field that kept the public away from the fireworks staging area.
About an hour after the gates opened, the wind started to pick up and the rain returned. Some attendees ran to their cars or to the treeline near the field for cover.
“The rain was a little bit surprising, but I’m just glad that they’re going to be able to put the fireworks on,” said Mullica Hill resident Sarah Shockey.”I love watching fireworks, and for me personally, I’m not going to be able to see any on July 4. So this is going to be really cool to get to experience it as a little pre-game to Independence Day.”
The rain slowed as a live band began to play and the national anthem was sung. But it picked up again shortly after, and an announcement came for attendees to return to their cars to watch the fireworks.
“Mother Nature gave us a run for the money this year, but it ended up being a huge success,” Fleisher observed. “The residents’ feedback has been very positive. Residents have really, really enjoyed the show this year.
“They didn’t let a little bit of rain get in the way of that.”
Rain returned in time for the start of fireworks at 9 p.m., so they were delayed to about an hour later, when it left. People watched from their cars or got out to sit in parking lots, but the show went on.
