Check out this new Independence Day festival

Anthony Valenzano was sick and tired of the fireworks celebrations held locally in recent years.

In an effort to create a warmer setting with much less stress this year, Valenzano Winery will be hosting an Independence Day Fireworks Festival on Tuesday, July 3 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

“My kids love going to firework shows and I really did not enjoy taking them to the local township firework shows. The last time we were at one had to park miles away and after a 30-minute walk we had to sit and entertain ourselves for hours before the show started,” Valenzano explained. “After 15 minutes of fireworks I had to carry two sleepy kids miles back to the car weaving in and out of a line of backed up cars and traffic. It was then that I realized we could do a better job.”

He expects between 2,000 and 3,000 people to visit the vineyard for the festival and there will be a $5 cost of admittance.

Tickets will be sold during business hours at the winery or at the gate the day of the event.

Bands will play, Uncle Sam will be on hand with some unicycle stunt work and there will be plenty of all-American food options.

“Murphy’s Market is one of this year’s sponsors and they will be introducing their new smoker with a selection of smoked ribs, chicken, along with the salads and sandwiches they are so well known for,” said Valenzano. “Our goal is to offer a great evening of entertainment, wine tasting, local crafts and food, but most importantly, a celebration of our country’s Independence.”

All of the vineyard’s wines, including reserves and limited production wines, will be available for both purchasing and sampling.

“Patrons will be able to walk through our vineyard and see how the grapes are progressing this season,” he said.

Area businesses are also in on the fun.

Petrosh’s Big Top will be providing bouncy rides for the youngsters while QuickShot Paintball will offer paintball target shooting for interested guests.

Valenzano compared his vision for this fireworks celebration to WineFest.

“WineFest is our big annual event that we have been hosting for the past 10 years. 10 years ago it started out as an idea like this and year after year it grew and became a local tradition,” he said.

He hopes to create a “first-class fireworks show” with safety as a priority.

“The state of N.J., Burlington County, Shamong Township and the N.J. Forestry Service have very strict safety requirements regarding firework shows,” he explained. “Luckily we have contracted with International Fireworks Company, who is one of the leading pyrotechnic companies on the East Coast. They put safety above all else.”

The fireworks will launch after sunset.

To add to the energetic feeling of the night, bands Soul Custody and Star 69 will blast some tunes.

“We don’t expect people to pay $5 just to see a 20-minute fireworks show and that was never our goal,” he said. “If someone just wants to go and see a fireworks display then Medford and dozen other townships have that to offer. What we are putting together is a more intimate event in a great setting with a fun lineup of music and things to experience.”

Valenzano invites Shamong residents to venture out to view the town’s first fireworks show.

“We will see how it goes but I’m pretty sure our customers will be well-pleased,” he said.

For up-to-date details or to post comments or questions, visit http://valenzanowine.com/independence-day-fireworks-festival.

Plan to arrive early to avoid a parking fee after 8 p.m. due to the size of the event.

The bash will be held at the vineyard’s festival grounds, 1320 Old Indian Mills Road, Shamong.