Midsummer Issue 2023

Hundreds Get Front Row
Seats for Annual Fireworks
Story and photos by KAREN FUCITO
Visitors to the Arthur J. Ondish Memorial Beach in Mount Arlington arrived
early on Friday, June 30, to stake out a spot for the annual July Fourth
fireworks display over Lake Hopatcong. The beach, which is located off Mount
Arlington Boulevard, overlooks the main part of the lake and is one of the premier
public land locations to view the fireworks, said Ashley Todd, the town’s recreation director.
The barges where the pyrotechnics are launched sit a few hundred yards off the beach,
offering a front row seat to the show. An estimated 250 people viewed the fireworks from the
beach area this year, said Todd, adding that beach access for viewing has been offered to the
public for more than two decades.
Musical entertainment was provided by DJ Vianna D’Amico. The Dolly Jingles ice cream truck
provided sweet treats.
Now in its 92nd year, the annual fireworks event is hosted and mostly funded by the Lake
Hopatcong Yacht Club. Additional funding comes from area businesses, organizations and
individual donations.
“It was a great turnout,” said Todd. “It will happen again
next year.”
Clockwise from top: Roseanne
Schaefer and Annmaria LoPiccolo. Jack
Castagna, Rob Deliberto, Ella Castagna
and Barbara Deliberto. Katie, Wes and
Matt Anderson with Christa Anderson.
Ptlm. Matt Kaiteris, Lt. Matt Fortunato,
Sgt. Joe Farina, Sgt. Ryan Sherburne,
Sgt. D.J. McCoach. Celerino Orpilla and
Cassie Orpilla. Dave Iaquinta and Laura
Donnarumma. Janet McNamara, Jared
McNamara and Lolita Borsilov. Vianna
D’Amico. Henry Porres and Evon Kam,
Russell Bergman and Lina Hetman,
Gloria Gutierrez and Robert Reyes.
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LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Midsummer 2023