(L to R) Carolyn Maxwell, Katherine Massopust, Councilman Bill Petrick, Councilman Mickey Gross, Linda Henry, Mayor Fred Henry, Mayor Wilda Diaz, WCTC 1450 AM Bert Baron (who was inducted into the NJ Radio Broadcasting Hall of Fame), Celebrate the Amboy’s Chair Barry Rosengarten at WCTC Broadcasting Station, Somerset, NJ, 7/2/2012 *File Photo

We remember with great anticipation the return of Fireworks to Perth Amboy and South Amboy in 2012. We were over the moon when we were invited to go to WCTC in Somerset, NJ to see a live broadcast that was hosted by Radio Personality Bert Baron. Perth Amboy’s Public Relations Spokeswoman Noelia Colon contacted us because Perth  Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz and South Amboy Mayor Fred Henry would be speaking. They would also be joined by Co-Chairs   Perth Amboy Councilman William Petrick and South Amboy Councilman Mickey Gross and Real Estate Developer and Chair of Celebrate the Amboy’s Barry Rosengarten. Barry was and still is to the day, the main catalyst of the fireworks. 

Garden State Fireworks has put on the show since the annual event was revived. 

Upon arriving at WCTC, we were warmly greeted by the staff, and they also provided refreshments for us to enjoy prior to the broadcast. We remember how Bert Baron made everyone feel very comfortable when he was interviewing them, asking questions that they answered as if they were pros. After the broadcast, a group photo was taken that included Katherine and myself.

On the day of the fireworks, Bert Baron and his crew did a live broadcast in the afternoon from the Raritan Yacht Club in Perth Amboy. Again, it featured Mayors Wilda Diaz and Fred Henry, Councilmen Bill Petrick and Mickey Gross and Barry Rosengarten along with some of the sponsors of the fireworks. That afternoon, I was able to shoot two short videos when Mayor Diaz and Rosengarten were being interviewed at the Yacht Club, and then Katherine Massopust was on the air with Bert Baron and his crew and talked about Perth Amboy’s history and the fireworks in general. 

The fireworks exceeded our expectations. There was excitement before, during and after the fireworks. It was an experience we’ll never forget.

So, we thank the Cities of Perth Amboy (especially the BID) and South Amboy (especially Mickey Gross) for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this celebration of this revived annual tradition. Special thanks to Chair Barry Rosengarten for his resolve and vision and WCTC’s Bert Baron for promoting the event and giving a shout out for the first time in 2012 to the Amboy Guardian during both broadcasts (in the studio and at the Yacht Club).

Unfortunately, later that year in October, Superstorm Sandy hit, and both Perth Amboy and South Amboy’s Waterfront sustained considerable damage and the fireworks could not take place in 2013. However, the fireworks came back strong in 2014, then again in 2015 (where we were joined by Staten Island for one year) and 2016 and 2017. 

This year, there will be a Patriotic Boat Parade to kick-off the celebration. Fireworks are Tuesday, July 3, 2018 (rain date July 5, 2018) Have a happy Fourth of July! See you July 11, 2018. Check our website for any breaking stories during our off week. 

During this event, everyone puts their differences aside because the fireworks in the sky has everyone’s eyes. C.M. & K.M.