Delivery issue spurs last-minute fireworks show cancellations

<p>Fourth of July fireworks shows didn't go off as planned in two New Jersey communities when a vendor failed to deliver the fireworks.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 5, 2018, 9:44 PM

Updated 2,385 days ago

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Fourth of July fireworks shows didn't go off as planned in two New Jersey communities when a vendor failed to deliver the fireworks.
Rochelle Park-based Fireworks Extravaganza posted an apology Thursday on its Facebook page. It said a "perfect storm of events took place" that meant the fireworks could not be legally delivered Wednesday to Beachwood and Milltown on Wednesday.
The company was to deliver the fireworks and supplies from Maryland. But officials say the firm didn't have a licensed hazmat driver and also didn't have a contingency plan in place.
"It was a failure. But also a failure of not having a strong enough plan B in place for yesterday. And we simply ran out of time,” said president John Sagaria.
Beachwood Mayor Ron Roma said that he was mortified when the show had to be canceled.
“To tell me you don’t have a driver to make a delivery, I just thought that was ridiculous,” he said.
About 10,000 people were expected to show up for the Beachwood fireworks display. The mayor says that the town is now out $8,500 in donated funds paid as a deposit.
Sagaria said he's hopeful the matter can be resolved, noting that has offered to put on a choreographed firework display at no cost.
Beachwood and Milltown officials say that they are considering legal action against Fireworks Extravaganza.
Jersey City’s fireworks display also saw some minor issues. The show, which was touted as the largest in the state, was delayed by about 45 minutes due to a Snoop Dogg concert preceding the fireworks.