by June Portnoy

Friday Night Fireworks will kick off its third season on Friday, May 25th at 9:30pm, continuing every Friday night through Labor Day, Friday, August 31st. The fireworks will be ignited on the Delaware River immediately south of the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge, allowing spectators on both sides of the river to enjoy the dazzling display of lights.

“This is a 10-minute, non-stop display of multi-colored fireworks orchestrated by Garden State Fireworks,” says Bill Scandone, co-chair of the New Hope-Lambertville Fireworks. “This year’s show will be even more spectacular than ever.

“Watching these fireworks displayed over the river is like watching the fireworks from the boardwalk down the shore without paying the high gas prices to drive there.”

Every week, a special guest will lead the countdown of the fireworks while engaging the crowd of spectators as they all count down together to one.

“Everyone in town looks forward to Friday Night Fireworks and have come to expect it as part of their summer tradition,” adds Bill.

However, it’s not just local residents who come out to see the fireworks. In fact, in 2011, Friday Night Fireworks attracted over 6,500 additional visitors each weekend, and it’s anticipated that this number will increase this year.

These tourists have significantly influenced the financial success of the town’s restaurants and businesses. Once exposed to New Hope and Lambertville’s unique and charming character, many visitors remembered to visit this area during the fall and winter months, returning to stroll and enjoy all this community has to offer, which was precisely the purpose of these fireworks when they began three years ago.

This major event was developed to revitalize and reinforce New Hope and Lambertville’s reputations as premier towns offering diverse dining, eclectic entertainment and shopping and lodging.

“We recognize that with the restoration of the Bucks County Playhouse, refurbishing the Canal and our intrepid supporters, we are well positioned for economic growth,” says Bill.

The Bucks County Playhouse has agreed to hold their intermissions during the firework displays on Friday evenings, so their spectators will also take pleasure in the fabulous display from outside its building.

This year, there will be a special fireworks show on Friday, May 18th at 9:30pm to embrace New Hope Celebrates.

Friday Night Fireworks is sponsored by the Greater New Hope and Lambertville Chambers of Commerce. Bill chairs Friday Night Fireworks with co-chairs, Nick Gialias, Marc Currie and Wilson Weed. These four volunteers give up every Friday during the summer to make this fireworks show a success.

Friday Night Fireworks is a not for profit 501 (c)(3) Corporation. Donations are charitable contributions. Funding for these fireworks come directly from private donors, including local businesses and residents and the food and beverage vendors.

If you would like to contribute to Friday Night Fireworks, send a check to The Bank of Princeton, 10 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530 or through PayPal at www.newhopelambervillefireworks.com; click on “Contribute to the Fund.”

For credit card payments, contact Wilson Weed at 609-397-0333, ext. 1817 (wweed@thebankofprinceton.com).

Donations should be made payable to New Hope on the Delaware-Fireworks.

See a video of Friday Night Fireworks below.