Community Corner

Springfield Celebrates the 4th of July in a Big Way

Music, fireworks, animals and more in celebration of America.

As it has been in years past, Springfield's 2012 4th of July celebration is going to be big. With the holiday in the middle of the week, organizers expect to draw more than previous years, where 2,000 and 3,000 people gathered to Meisel field over the course of the evening.

Fireworks start at dusk and the live music kicks off at 7:30 p.m., but the doors open at 5 p.m, when families are advised to arrive to take full advantage of the event's child-friendly features.

"We encourage families with children to arrive early and take advantage of having unlimited use of the rides and petting zoo," 4th of July Committee co-chair Scott Seidel said in an email.

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In addition to the carnival-style rides and the animals, children can enjoy a trackless train, a petting zoo and pony rides. Adults are encouraged to partake in the "giant" 50-50 Springfield Rotary Club raffle.

Music will be provided by the 1910 Fruitgum Company and the Toys featuring Barbara Harris, acts that rocketed up Billboard Magazine's top 40 chart in the '60s. The Fruitgum Co., who along with groups like the Lemon Pipers and the Archie's spearheaded the late '60s bubblegum rock movement, charted with the pop tunes "Simon Says," "1-2-3 Redlight" and "Indian Giver." The Toys were one notch shy of a number one hit in 1965 with "A Lover's Concerto," a song noted rock critic Dave Thompson called "the apogee of the girl group sound."

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Both groups have performed in Springfield at past events; this is the fourth year in a row that the Fruitgum Company has been featured in the township's 4th of July event celebration, and Barbara Harris performed at last year's 4th of July celebration as well as past Township summer concerts.

Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce, members of the Township Committee and the Township’s Emergency Management Organization have banded together to plan this year’s event under the auspices of the Take Pride in Springfield and The Fourth of July Committee. The Springfield Regular & Volunteer Fire Departments, the Springfield Auxiliary Police, the Springfield CERT Team, Springfield Police Department and the Springfield First Aid Squad are Assisting Emergency Management with the event’s safety planning. Fencing and logistic support around the field is supplied by the Township Department of Public Works. 

In a press release, Patrick Paolella, Springfield Chamber of Commerce co-chairman said “the celebration is a group effort.”

The Garden State Fireworks Company of Millington, New Jersey will provide and sets off the fireworks. The use of Meisel Field allows the organizers to use larger shells in the fireworks display, which they say makes for a more spectacular show. 

"As far as the Fireworks, I consider them the best in the area," Seidel said. "And being the co-chair of the 4th of July Committee has nothing to do with it!"

A donation of $5 per person will be collected at the gate. Children under two are free. Please note that alcoholic beverages are not permitted on County property. If weather prevents the fireworks the organizers plan to hold them on the next clear night.


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