With Close of Fort Monmouth, Eatontown Shifts Fourth of July Fireworks to a September Community Celebration

The closure of Fort Monmouth has had a vast impact on the local area.  Some effects are small while others are more far reaching.   

One of the smaller changes in the area has to do with the new “Eatontown Day” celebration taking the place of the annual Fourth of July fireworks.  In the past, the fort hosted the annual celebration, and the borough footed the $10,000 bill for the fireworks as a joint venture. 

With the closing of the fort in September, Eatontown moved away from a Fourth of July fireworks celebration last year and held its first Eatontown Day. This year the second annual Eatontown Day celebration will be held on Sept. 24.

“The cost of the fireworks was expensive for the borough," said Eatontown Business Administrator George S. Jackson. 'The change to Eatontown Day gave the residents a whole day of family oriented activities. I spent several hours there last year and had a really good time."

The community celebration will be held at the end of the summer to avoid conflicting with the many other activities that fill families’ calendars throughout the summer. 

As with the former Fourth of July celebration, Eatontown Day will include children’s amusements, food vendors and music. The Eatontown Municipal Band and Choraliers will be providing part of the entertainment. The day will be capped off with a family movie in the park.