Fireworks by Grucci family set
BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR.
Correspondent

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP - Running four years strong, the Marine Corps League will once again hold a "Movies in the Park" event on June 30 at Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road.

Beginning at 2 p.m., visitors to the park will be treated to rides, snacks, a car show, games and three bands (including The Nerds, who will perform at 6:30 p.m.). Local food vendors will be on hand as well.

The biggest attractions will come after dark. A 9 p.m. fireworks performance presented by the renowned Grucci family of Long Island, N.Y., - set to patriotic music in celebration of the country's military and armed forces - will illuminate the night sky.

Following the fireworks, organizers will roll out a 25-foot projector screen for a showing of the night's feature presentation of the neighborhood classic "The Sandlot."

With the exception of the vendors, the entire event is free of charge.

David Clemenko, a former comman-dant of the Cpl. Philip Reynolds Marine Corps League detachment, organizes the event. He said the idea for the "Movies in the Park" event came from his time in the U.S. Marine Corps and a day in Jackson-ville, Fla.

"I see these people watching a movie in the park and I said, 'This would be so cool to happen in Freehold,' " he recalled.

Since the inception of the event in Free-hold Township four years ago, Clemenko has planned the festivities and tried to "kick it up" every year.

Last year he "kicked it up" by bringing the Grucci family on board. The Gruccis, who are referred to as "The First Family of Fireworks," have inaugurated U.S. presidents, christened stadiums and been featured at the Olympics with their unique blend of pyrotechnic art.

This year the Grucci fireworks show will coincide with a patriotic video display that has been designed by Clemenko.

Clemenko said, "There have been many phone conversations between me and the Gruccis" in order to synchronize the video, the music and the fireworks. Given the tribute, Clemenko was humbled by the experience.

"It's unbelievable to stand there and watch this event unfold," he said. "There is nothing like this in the world to be able to really orchestrate your love for the country through a video and fireworks display. How many people get to do that?"

Clemenko thanked the event's principal sponsors - Irwin Lincoln Mercury Mazda of Freehold and Freehold Raceway Mall - and the many other local businesses that help the event take place. He said the "Movies in the Park" would not not happen without the support of local businesses.

Founded in 1923, the Marine Corps League is a veterans/military service organization and has a membership of about 50,000 discharged, active, reserve and retired Marines.

The purpose of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interests of the U.S. Marine Corps, to provide camaraderie and assistance to Marines, their widows and their orphans and to preserve the traditions of the U.S. Marine Corps.