Princeton Fireworks Will Light Up the Sky on Friday

The Spirit of Princeton will host its annual fireworks show on Friday at Clarke Field next to the University Stadium. 

Fields open at 7 p.m. and the fireworks will begin at dusk, typically just after 9 p.m. 

Thousands of people are expected to enjoy a picnic and listen to music at Clarke Field before the fireworks begin.

Garden State Fireworks, the same company that does the Princeton University reunion fireworks, will put on Friday’s show.

Smoking and alcohol are prohibited.

“Before the fireworks go off, people enjoy themselves, play Frisbee, have a picnic, whatever they want to do,” said Ray Wadsworth, chairman of the Spirit of Princeton.

The non-profit organization has hosted the annual fireworks since 1996, when the borough and the township’s inability to pay for the annual event sparked a major fundraiser that netted nearly $200,000, Wadsworth said.

In the 1990’s, Princeton resident Herb Hobler came to Wadsworth with the idea to sell inscriptions on the bricks now locate din Palmer Square.

The project raised nearly $200,000 for an endowment that has enabled the non-profit organization to sponsor a number of annual events around town, including fireworks, the Memorial Day Parade, Veterans Day and Flag Day ceremonies.

Wadsworth, who served on borough council in the early 1990's, says he does this for one reason. 

"I love the town, I love the people in it and I wanted to keep
tradition up with the parade and the fireworks," he said. 

He said Princeton University allows the fireworks on their property for free.
“The university has been good to us, I have to say that,” Wadsworth said.