NEWTON TWP. — The Rotary Club of the Abingtons will once again light up the sky above the Abington Heights Middle School, 1555 Newton Ransom Blvd., with its annual Independence Day fireworks event, scheduled to open at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 2 with a rain date of Sunday, July 3. The fireworks display will begin at dusk. There is a $5 per vehicle parking fee, which helps defray costs for the community event.
According to Rotarian John Hambrose, chairman, the event has been a Fourth of July tradition in the Abingtons for more than 25 years.
“It’s certainly a family and community event,” he said. “It’s a great place to celebrate the holiday, and I think all of our patrons come and they bring their family, and they see their friends, and they have a great time celebrating the nation’s birthday.”
Hambrose said the celebration will also include a variety of food vendors, many of whom are new this year; holiday novelties sold by the Rotary club; a rock climbing wall; an assortment of children’s games, rides and inflatable amusements and “all the fun that comes with being out there at the school with your friends, family and neighbors.”
Planning for the event begins as early as December, and Hambrose said by the time the display ends, almost all the club’s members have helped in some way. He said special thanks is owed to Michael Wademan, co-chairman; Rotarians Steve Selige and Ed Nuzzaci, who have been working on show details for months; Bruce Valentine, parking coordinator; Jamie Kresge, public safety coordinator; Leah Rudolph, who handles publicity; Laurie Stephens, fundraising coordinator and Ken Stewart, who has been handling business details and bookkeeping.
“It is the commitment of these club members to our community that makes this great event possible,” Hambrose said.
He added the club is also grateful to the local police officers, volunteer firefighters and rescue crew members who help keep everyone safe during the event.
And, of course, he said much thanks is owed to the sponsors, including those who donate funds; Newton Township, for providing the permit and the school district for use of its grounds, staff and electricity.
“It takes a community to present this, and we’ve got a lot of people to thank,” he said.
For those who would like to make a donation beyond their $5 parking fee, or those who enjoy the display from a remote location and desire to help support the annual event, checks can be mailed to the Rotary Club of the Abingtons, P.O. Box 392, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.
For more information and updates, follow the Rotary Club of the Abingtons on Facebook.
