Photos by Bill Allen Jr. - NJ Sport/Action

By W.L. Bill Allen Jr.
Special to the Leader

(July 20, 2009) — Despite the fact that annual Rutherford Independence Day festivities were canceled due to the borough's current economic woes, Meadowlands area residents still had two major fireworks celebrations to enjoy on the 4th of July, as localites flocked to Weehawken to enjoy the huge Macy's Fireworks extravaganza over the Hudson and to East Rutherford to see the State Fair fireworks show at Giants Stadium.

The Macy's event was moved from its more usual site on the East River back to its original home on the Hudson River this year in recognition of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration of the area.

Among the south Bergen area dwellers who thrilled to the lights in the sky from a great vantage point on Hamilton Place in Weehawken were Ben Iacovelli, a World War II Vet from East Rutherford who served on the USS Maryland six decades ago, and a group of Rutherford dwellers which included Ray and Joanne Stever and their kids: 11-year-old Jarrett and 17-year-old Taylor, along with eight-year-old Lawson Fisher and his brother, 11-year-old Parker, and Jo-Ann Scotto.