Park Board Hears Ideas for Revised 'J4' Celebration

The Board of Directors of Morrisons Cove Memorial Park held a public meeting March 4 to discuss the 2019 Fourth of July celebration.

Bartlebaugh Amusements of Madisonburg, which has been offering concessions and rides at the park for more than 50 years, is not willing to provide rides for the week of July 4. According to Chuck Gojmerac, executive director of the park, the J4 celebration is tentatively scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 2. Highlights of the week will include the annual agricultural parade on July 2 and fireworks displays on July 3 and 6. Gojmerac said it is possible the celebration could begin on Monday, July 1.

After discussing the pros and cons of moving the celebration to another week, boardmembers decided to have the celebration the week of July 4, even if there will be no rides.

Cove residents attending the meeting presented ideas for entertainment during the week.

Rodney Kensinger, representing the Southern Cove Tractor Puller’s Association, presented possibilities for truck and tractor pulling events. Paul Lang from the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society said there could be a “golf ball contest.”

The board also considered having Fun Services of Pennsylvania provide game booths. Other ideas included pony rides, a craft fair, music or a band, rock climbing, Civil and Revolutionary War re-enactments and a car or tractor show.

Representatives of the Cove Lions Club, the Boy Scouts and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary expressed

concerns about changing the date due to scheduling problems and also how their food booths would fare without the rides to attract families and children.

Andrew Ritchey of Martinsburg gave his opinion that there should be rides “because that is what attracts people.”

The park’s Fourth of July Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, to discuss the ideas that were proposed on Monday night.