RedBank.Com

I am not sure how long there have been fireworks on the Navesink to celebrate the 4th of July. I cannot remember them before the 60's. Around 1964 or 65 the Red Bank Parks and Recreation under Al Gatta started shooting fireworks on the Navesink.

It was stated to draw attention to the coming Regatta boat races that were held for decades on our river. The races were in the second week in July. The barge that was used for the fire works was left in the river for the finish line and was used by Judges and VIPs. The "Good Times" Barge was towed down river and Joe Irwin would place the barge and anchor it. Parks and Recreation would buy the fireworks from the Zambelli family and our own Sonny Thorton would set them off by hand. The Red Bank Jaycees would set up bleachers and get donations. The total cost for the fireworks was $3000 in 1965.

Sonny told me how they would shoot the fireworks out of mortars or cannons as they were called. Barrels of sand were place on the barge the mortars mounted on them and loaded with various rockets. The fuses were light by hand. Paper was placed in the mouth of the mortar because there would be burning paper from the rockets floating down after they were fired and could set off other rockets by accident. There has been a story going around for years that Sonny had to jump off the barge. What actually happened was a Joel Herbert was helping Sonny take paper out of the cannons. Sonny told him how the falling burning paper could set of other rockets. After a particular large group of rockets were fired Joel seeing all the burning paper falling towards them panicked. He thought the barge was going to blow up and hid in a corner until things settled down. The five minute delay caused a great deal of commotion. When Joel told a reporter what happened the story was turned around a bit. The grand Finale is set in a U shaped on the barge and you got several frames of fireworks and one fuse is tied into that with a domino effect. Sonny was not paid and took a whole of grief for nothing. "If it wasn't a great show it was my fault," stated Sonny. "Mayor OHern was grateful that I took the heat when things when wrong, he said I could take it better then he could."

In the later years Parks and Recreations asked the Merchants to donate money foe the fireworks. Fair Haven and Rumson gave money also due to their feelings that many people from their towns enjoyed the show. In 1970 $6000 got you 30 minutes. Sonny talked of the great joy of being out there and loading the cannons and watching them. Every one was different and if you could load them fast enough the sky was full and sounded like thunder. "I loved every minute of it." Sonny said. Sonny shot off the fireworks for 6 years. Gucci made a bid to do the fireworks and won it in 1976. That was the last year for Sonny.

Today I am on the Ka Boom committee to raise money for the fireworks. Today they cost over $150,000. We need your help to pay for this great show that has become a part of Red Bank's history. You will be getting a letter soon. Please give what you can. I have a feeling that in light of 9/11 the fireworks this year are going to have a whole new meaning. Donations can be made to: Fireworks on the Navesink, PO Box 155 Red Bank, NJ 07701 or on line at www.Kaboomfireworks.org. For more information including VIP seating for the fireworks call 732 345 0885.

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From the Archives: This story by Danny Murphy originally appeared on RedBank.Com on June 15th of 2002.