Thursday, October 1, 2026
Excited faces dotted the crowd that packed Centennial Park for the annual fireworks celebration last Sunday. The Saturday-night storm forecast, which forced a 24-hour postponement of the Grucci pyrotechnic spectacular marking the village’s 119th anniversary, had only heightened the anticipation.
Mayor Francis Murray, Village Administrator Keith Spadaro and Police Commissioner Chuck Gennario made the decision on Saturday to delay the show based on radar reports of thunderstorms and the extreme heat, which together had the potential to make the event uncomfortable and unsafe.
“We got reports from Dave Howard, the executive vice president with the Mets [and husband of Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard],” Murray explained. “He called his weather people at Kennedy Airport. They were very accurate, and at about 3 o’clock they all were in agreement that heavy thunderstorms with lightning, wind and rain would be coming through our area between 8 and 12 that night.”
Residents received news of the postponement through the village’s reverse-911 notification system, and liherald.com and the Rockville Centre Fireworks Facebook page posted the news of the rescheduling. Notices were also posted at the park.
This year’s celebration featured more extensive food options and entertainment than in previous years. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, vendors including the Pretzel Stop, Busco’s Deli & Catering and Sweet Plantains Restaurant were stationed on the park’s basketball courts. An ice cream truck offered treats alongside Mill River. Children had the chance to get their faces painted and buy glowing necklaces and swords, and Lister Field, just north of the main viewing area, was put to good use by families playing ball.
