IF YOU WATCH THE FIREWORKS, PAY YOUR SHARE

Saturday's July 4th celebration at Memorial Park is one of the highlights of the year for Maplewood, with the nighttime fireworks as the big finale for a day of events, food, contests, music, and a circus.

Tickets to the fireworks are $10, $15 for the fireworks plus the circus and all other events.

Despite what some people think, these events are not subsidized by the Township, taxes or any other outside source or sponsor. The Fireworks, which run about $15,000, are paid for with the ticket sales only. 

The entire costs for all the days events is about $30,000, again strictly from ticket sales and revenue.

And if you are among those who do not pay for tickets and watch outside of the fenced area, you are stealing. This is no different than sneaking into a baseball game or a theater.

Maplewood is one of the few towns in the area that still has fireworks on July 4th and if funds are not raised properly each year, they will not be able to continue.

So do your part and if you plan to watch the fireworks, buy a ticket and get the best seats in the house.