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Mayor Healy to Host State’s Largest Fourth of July
Fireworks & Concert at Liberty State Park
Thousands to Attend Jersey City’s Annual Independence Day Celebration

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy, the Municipal Council , the Division of Cultural Affairs and the Jersey City Urban Enterprise Zone program invite Jersey City residents and visitors to attend what is the area’s premier Fourth of July Fireworks celebration at Liberty State Park as the city celebrates our nation’s independence.

“Liberty State Park is one of my favorite destinations,” said Mayor Healy. “I spent many days as a young father at Liberty Park with my own children, tossing a football in the shadows of Lady Liberty. It’s a wonderful place for families to get together and enjoy all that our unique location has to offer. I invite all area residents and neighboring community members to come together at Jersey City’s own July 4th event, Libertyfest 2008, to celebrate America as one family.”

The day begins at 3 p.m. with children’s activities with Radio Disney broadcasting live from the site with music, games and dance contests for children.

The FREE Jersey City Libertyfest Concert will begin at 3 p.m . with, Amy Speace, taking the stage in the park’s South Field, near the historic Central Railroad Terminal. A local Jersey City talent, Amy Speace combines country and folk to great effect with her lovely vocal inflections.

The Jersey City Cultural Affairs Soundstage will continue to exhibit the wonderful diversity of our city by featuring music to be performed by Latin soul singer, Joe Bataan and soul singer Ted Mills, former lead singer of Blue Magic. DJ Omar, also from Jersey City, will be on hand to perform an eclectic mix of music for all tastes between the live performances.

The concert will run from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. Radio Disney will be on site from 3pm to 5pm with children’s games and activities. Jersey City Cultural Affairs will conduct games for children of all ages featuring free light-up prizes and give-a-ways. Free ice-cream will be provided for the first 5,000 guests.

At approximately 9:15 p.m., the Jersey City night sky will explode with a fireworks display that will leave spectators dazzled. More than 10,000 shells will be launched, illuminating Jersey City’s first class skyline. The display will be visible from all areas of Liberty State Park and downtown Manhattan. Garden State Fireworks, an internationally acclaimed fireworks company which began operation locally in Hudson County in 1890 in North Bergen, NJ, is producing the pyrotechnic display.

“Our fireworks company produces events all over the world. But, I am always especially proud to conduct our displays at home, in the Garden State. Jersey City is a fantastic fireworks venue and we have a great show in store for you this year!” said Auggie Santore, Sr., owner of Garden State Fireworks.

The Jersey City Fireworks display will be choreographed to a musical soundtrack that includes Disney selections from The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones. Other upbeat music which has become part of the fabric of America will ring across Liberty State Park including selections from Tina Turner, Kelly Clarkson and Neil Diamond.

The Jersey City Fireworks show will launch from Liberty State Park between Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

The Libertyfest Concert and Fourth of July Fireworks is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, the Municipal Council, the Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Jersey City Economic Development Corporation UEZ Program. Additional sponsors include Liberty State Park, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Radio Disney.

“There is no greater place in the world to celebrate our nation’s independence than Jersey City, home of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island,” said Maryanne Kelleher-Arango, Director of the City’s Cultural Affairs Division. “We are a city of immigrants and this year’s program reflects that diversity.”

“With more than 30 years of experience, Jersey City and all our generous sponsors have designed an event which considers children of all ages. If you like Disney, we’ve got it; R&B, we’ve got it, folk music, we’ve got that too,.... and, if you like fireworks, Jersey City’s display is second to none,” she added.

As parking is limited, the public is encouraged to arrive early and use public transportation. The public may take the Hudson Bergen Light Rail to the Liberty State Park terminal, where shuttle buses will transport them into the park. Ample parking is available at the Light Rail stations.

For more information on the Jersey City Libertyfest Concert and the Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration, contact the Division of Cultural Affairs at 201-547-6921.