Hackensack Meridian RMC Foundation Fireworks to Go Boom Over Navesink, Sans Crowd

There will be Fourth of July fireworks over the Navesink River this year, courtesy of the Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center Foundation; but, due to COVID-19 concerns, there won’t be an audience, exclusive or not.

This year, the display will fly solo on July 3, dedicated to healthcare frontliners and other essential workers, a press release from the organization said. No festivities, bringing hundreds of private donors, food trucks rides and games together on the banks of the Navesink ground, to go with it.

The longstanding open-to-the public Grucci display was halted years back, due to unruly, large, uncontrollable crowds. Rumson also halted its public display years back. Regardless, Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center Foundation has always usually hosted its own separate annual Family Fireworks on the Navesink, a reservations-required event benefitting the foundation and its mission. Many from the area attended to sponsor the foundation and gather for exclusive front-row seats to the fireworks.

“Fireworks on the Navesink River are a time-honored tradition; and, while we are not able to gather in person, we are thrilled to be able to put them on the for the community as a way to express our gratitude for the heroes among us, while raising money for a great cause,” Hackensack Meridian Health Chief Executive Officer Robert C. Garrett said in the release.

The fireworks display will still go off between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m. on July 3.

As always, it will be visible along the Navesink River in the section nearest the Oceanic Bridge, the release added.

Donations in support of the fireworks’ cost and ongoing efforts at Riverview Medical Center to care for patients during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond may be made at www.HackensackMeridianHealth.org/RMCFireworks or emailing [email protected]