Freedom Festival saved in Randolph Township

RANDOLPH TWP. Fireworks of a different kind have been going off in town lately, endangering the beloved tradition of a glorious pyrotechnic display against the night sky during the annual Freedom Festival, as well as the rural atmosphere along Millbrook Avenue.

Even the festival itself was in danger all for the sake of going green with the construction of solar panel canopies over parking lots at the County College of Morris (CCM), Randolph High School, and Randolph Middle School.

Fortunately cooler heads have prevailed and an agreement has been reached that insures the continuance of the festival, fireworks, and the bucolic environment valued by local residents.

It was feared this years annual event, the plans of which have been in development for months, could not be held on the County College of Morris (CCM) campus because of the construction of the solar panel canopies.

The work is expected to begin immediately after commencement exercises in mid-May and has to be completed by late August before the new school year begins.

Township officials had thought the solar panel project, spearheaded by the Morris County Improvement Authority, (MCIA), would be restricted to the rooftops of the high school and middle school. Upon learning of the canopies and how they would not only look but also affect the annual Freedom Festival held in one of CCMs parking lots, there was a lot of scrambling to find a new location.

That effort resulted in the very real possibility the annual event would have to be cancelled maybe permanently not because the township lacks parkland and open space that might accommodate the festival but because no location could be found that would safely accommodate the number of cars and effect of traffic.

Were still brainstorming, said John Lovell at the March 29 meeting of the Township Council. We hope not to lose 2012, but if 2012 is lost we hope to bring it back next year.

Lovell said a decision had to be reached quickly because the carnival company that supplies all the childrens rides and other entertainment was looking to be released from their contract in enough time to obtain a new contract elsewhere.

Another question that had to be answered was whether or not fireworks displays could be harmful to solar panels, and not having fireworks in conjunction with the festival could be a killer.

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Freedom Festival saved in Randolph Township