WYCKOFF - Can the township's Labor Day fireworks display be saved?

No — not in time for this year's holiday, but Committeeman Timothy Shanley received approval to set up an independent fireworks committee to revive the tradition in 2020.

This year's event was canceled last month by the township fire department, which has run the event. Chief Tim Brock said the fireworks event, always held during Labor Day weekend, has been "operating at a loss" financially in recent years and is too time-consuming for the volunteer department.

"The number of folks who watch the fireworks from locations outside of Memorial Field has increased," Brock said. "Unfortunately, this has impacted our ability to raise funds to support the event."

Brock said the event has been held for at least 60 years, and the current expense to put on the show runs around $18,000. Entry tickets that helped finance the event were sold at local businesses and at the entrance to Memorial Field on the day of the event.

"We'd come to July 4 and be $9,000 short," said Brock. "We might end up coming out $250 ahead, but it wasn't worth the effort and time involved."

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Shanley envisions the event would be run as a fundraiser for the fire department as well as the ambulance corps, but run by citizen volunteers in order to take the burden off first-responders.

"Volunteers just need to fill out a volunteer application available in the clerk's office or on our website," Shanley said.

Other Bergen fireworks displays

Wyckoff is not the only municipality that faces challenges to its fireworks tradition.

Ridgewood is dealing with increased resistance from residents who won't pay to attend the village's July 4 parade and fireworks.

"It's increasingly difficult because people can view the fireworks for free from their own yards," said Deputy Mayor Susan Knudsen, who serves as council liaison to the 501c3 committee that oversees the event. "We raise money in a number of different ways, but residents don't realize this is not just for the fireworks, but for security, printing. We pay four bands to march in the parade."

Flat funding has "put future programs in jeopardy," Knudsen said, adding there has been talk of cutbacks on the scope of the all-day celebration. However, she said she has been encouraged by a number of groups and organizations that have stepped forward to help.

"We're hoping we can save the traditional events," Knudsen said.

Allendale's July 4 fireworks event is run by Holiday Observers, a men's social organization that provides holiday activities for resident children throughout the year. Its annual door-to-door fundraiser is conducted before July 4 and provides donors with passes required for entry to the event in Crestwood Park. The funds raised finance its celebrations throughout the year.

President Scott Miller said the Holiday Observers are "doing OK" covering expenses.

Miller said Allendale residents also try to avoid paying the fee to view the fireworks and will watch from the Grand Stand ball field across the street from Crestwood Lake or from Northern Highlands Regional High School fields, west of the lake. However, they encourage paid attendance with a number of ground displays which can only be viewed from inside the park.

Ramsey's Independence Day celebration includes a concert and fireworks in Finch Park run and paid for by the borough, said Mayor Deidre Dillon.

"There is no charge to attend," said Dillon. "It's a budget item."

Councilman William Jones estimates the fireworks cost $8,000, with attendance at 5,000 to 6,000 residents. This year's event is scheduled for July 6.

"The day begins with a charity softball game at noon between the local emergency services and various service organizations," Jones said. The proceeds of the game are used by the veterans to buy and cook barbecue, hot dogs and hamburgers.

Jones said some organizations capitalize on the event to raise funds by selling glow sticks, water, snack stand items, and there's a 50-50 raffle, which also benefits the veterans.

"It's a very successful community event," Jones said.

Wyckoff residents interested in volunteering for the fireworks committee can fill out and submit the form found at https://wyckoffnj.seamlessdocs.com/f/volunteer_application/.