COVID-19 has canceled events and large gatherings throughout the world — from the NBA season to conferences, weddings, and more. Now, we have another one to add to the list: the Jersey City July 4th Festival, which was to happen on Independence Day in 2020, of course. Just today, Mayor Fulop shared that this 4th of July festival in Jersey City would be canceled and postponed until 2021.
He tweeted today, “We’ve directed all of our 4th of July Sponsors that instead of supporting our #July4th Festival which we’ve grown to be the largest firework show in NJ w/world class talent + 150k attendees – we asked sponsors to give to #JerseyCity Covid Relief Fund to help residents recover.” The tweet had a photo of Snoop Dogg, Pitbull, and a shadow with the date 2021 as the new focus.
We’ve directed all of our 4th of July Sponsors that instead of supporting our #July4th Festival which we’ve grown to be the largest firework show in NJ w/world class talent + 150k attendees – we asked sponsors to give to #JerseyCity Covid Relief Fund to help residents recover. pic.twitter.com/MyXbvnlBRF
— Steven Fulop (@StevenFulop) April 24, 2020
Over the last two years, Jersey City’s 4th of July Festival has grown to be the biggest in New Jersey, taking place for the full day 12:00PM-10:00PM at Exchange Place Plaza — including live entertainment starting up at noon. After the headliners, the fireworks display was launching from bargers on the Hudson River.
The carnival-style spectacle has had a 100,000+ person audience each year, with all-day music, food, and of course views of the New York City skyline.
In 2018, Mayor Fulop was quoted saying, “I think the Jersey City side of Hudson River is going to be the place that people want to be for the 4th of July this year. Period. Between Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Grucci, and Snoop, we are raising the bar,” said Mayor Fulop. And it seems like he’s been keeping that promise to bring in national and international stars to highlight in Hudson County.
Snoop Dogg and Akon + Pitbull were the headliners from the last two years, and it was still under wraps who was to be the performer for this year. Looks like we’ll have to wait until 2021 to find out.
He went on to say, “We will find a way to appropriately celebrate the 4th of July in JC in a different way but today, the $ better used to help people. In this environment we are making choices on what is needed for our community . We will be back in 2021 with a bigger celebration though.”
To donate to the Jersey City COVID Relief Fund, click here.
