The Fireworks Press Conference on the Cornucopia Riverboat St. Charles, Perth Amboy on 5/22/15
*Photos by Angel Robledo
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY/SOUTH AMBOY/STATEN ISLAND – On Friday, May 22, a press conference luncheon was held on the Cornucopia: Riverboat St. Charles announcing signing a contract with Garden State Fireworks. This year, the Fireworks Spectacular is a tri-city collaboration of Perth Amboy, South Amboy and Staten Island. The event is coordinated by “Celebrate Our Stars and Stripes” Chair Barry Rosengarten and co-chaired by South Amboy City Council President Mickey Gross, Perth Amboy Councilman Bill Petrick , Perth Amboy B.A. Jillian Barrick and Staten Island Minority Leader Vincent Ignizio. Honorary Co-Chairs are Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz, South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo.
City Officials, Sponsors, and the Media attended the press conference. Staten Island Borough President James Oddo was unable to attend the press conference due to Fleet Week events in New York.
Celebrate Our Stars and Stripes Chair Barry Rosengarten is proud to announce that the Fireworks Spectacular will again be at NO COST to the taxpayers. The event is solely funded by private sponsors and donations. “We’ve got a great group of people,” Rosengarten said.
The press conference was opened by a Prayer by Msgr. John Gordon who blessed the occasion and the food.
Celebrate Stars & Stripes Chair Barry Rosengarten, B.A. Jillian Barrick, Perth Amboy Councilman Bill Petrick, South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry, Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz, South Amboy Council President Mickey Gross *Photos by Angel Robledo
Rosengarten spoke first at the press conference. He thanked his UEZ/BID Chair Roxana Troche, “In her off hours she volunteers her precious time to help lead and assist in our Celebrate programs.”
He also thanked his Personal Assistant, Yolanda Flores, “In addition to her other full-time jobs, she has taken on the immense responsibility of following through on all the details necessary to present to you the greatest show on Independence Day weekend. . .We owe these beautiful ladies a huge thank you.”
Rosengarten thanked all the sponsors who are making this event possible singling out Aristicare as a major sponsor and Cornucopia Owner Mustafa Killic who hosted the press conference.
“The simulcast music will be broadcast on radio station WCTC 1450 AM & WMGQ MAGIC 98.3 FM.” Rosengarten thanked Bert Baron of WCTC who was present at the conference.
Mayor Wilda Diaz thanked Rosengarten and Gross who have been at the forefront of the Fireworks Spectacular as well as Mayor Fred Henry. “Perth Amboy has made an effort to restore our waterfront which is nearly complete. We thank everyone who is making this possible.”
South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry thanked Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz for the partnership. He spoke about the history of South Amboy including the First Air Mail Flight between South Amboy and Perth Amboy and the history of the America’s Cup. He thanked the Fire Departments, First Aid Squads, Police and Department of Public Works who makes this a safe event. “It’s a great cause and family oriented entertainment.”
South Amboy Council President Mickey Gross took over the speaking for Rosengarten who was suffering from Laryngitis. He thanked Raritan Bay Medical Center who took care of him when he had health issues.
Perth Amboy Councilman Bill Petrick spoke next. “For many years Barry Rosengarten has put things together at no cost to the taxpayers. I have to give credit to the City Council of New York who is joining us in the festivity. James Oddo, Borough President of NY (Staten Island) Vince Ignizio, Minority Leader and B.A. Jillian Barrick met at the Conference House in Staten Island. It’s been unbelievable.”
(L to R) Petra Owner Enrique Hernandez, UEZ/BID Coordinator Roxana Troche, Yolanda Flores and Celebrate Stars and Stripes Chair Barry Rosengarten
Co-owner of Garden State Fireworks Chris Santore offered some brief remarks, “I have a very cool job. We thrive on enthusiasm. It’s driven by so many people. You give me the opportunity to bring flowers for everyone. It’s a great privilege and honor. We’re delivering a display for something everyone wants to see. It’s a lot of long nights and lot of hard work.”
Sponsors of the event are listed on the banner.
Rosengarten gave closing remarks, “For us it is not the Fireworks and the Holiday that motivates this endeavor. It is the genuine belief that if we do not remember, share and hold the values that our forefathers defended, then pride and patriotism will slowly disappear and the meaning behind Independence Day will be lost. It is vital that we provide for our families and friends a living tradition of our Nations birth best celebrated with the spectacular fireworks display providing an amazing fireworks and simulcast music that absolutely creates an impression in our children, parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts and everyone that lasts until the next years exciting July evening. What better place than to watch from Staten Island’s Conference House and South Amboy’s Waterfront Park and Perth Amboy’s magnificent beautifully restored extensive waterfront… What wonderful places to uphold those, moments, raise our spirits and Take pride in being an American. It is a great reason to Celebrate our Stars & Stripes along the shorelines of the Raritan whose waters wash our shores. As they say on Broadway, This will be the start of something wonderful…”
The celebration in Perth Amboy will begin at 7 p.m. with fun, entertainment, and food vendors in the waterfront area. The fireworks display is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015. Rain Date is Friday, July 3, 2015.
For more information please visit: www.celebratestarsandstripes.com
Click on small photos to enlarge.
Graphic by Amboy Guardian
