Updated: 6 days ago
By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | Jun 11, 2026
The township’s annual fireworks show is scheduled for June 25 at Montgomery High School. While many look forward to dazzling color displays and deafening flashbangs, some are bracing for the damage it causes to their livestock and the anxiety it inflicts on pets — not to mention some war veterans.
Located about 500 yards from the fireworks launch area is SAVE Animal Shelter. About a half mile north is an alpaca farm.
Marie Voorhees, owner of Hidden Spring Lavender and Alpaca Farm in Skillman says that since 2022, her alpacas have lost six pregnancies and one cria, representing an estimated financial loss of nearly $60,000. "Beyond the financial impact, these losses are deeply distressing and affect the long-term sustainability of our farm."
"Montgomery has expressed support for its agricultural community, yet farms like ours remain in close proximity to public event spaces. As such, the effects of fireworks on livestock are a real and local concern that merits thoughtful consideration." — Marie Voorhees
SAVE Animal Shelter Executive Director Heather L. Achenbach also has a problem with fireworks. Her facility, opened in 2015, and is designed for 75 cats and 25 dogs. She told The Montgomery News, that she was "raised on fireworks" as "the way" to celebrate July 4.
"Had I known the impact fireworks have on wildlife and livestock, I would never have supported them. Once you lose your innocence on the damage fireworks can do, it is hard to enjoy them."
"People need to get over fireworks. These are outdated. People get injured from these things. Once you see the toll they take on animals, you see them differently. You can’t love them the same way. You cringe. The community at large does not know the damage they do."
Montgomery Township spends about $25,000 annually on the fireworks display alone (raised by donations). This year, the fireworks committee is looking to raise extra money, up to $60,000 according to a recent funding request letter that was emailed to residents. (It was explained that they want to get ahead for next year's fireworks).
Marie Voorhees wrote a letter to her elected officials — Mayor Neena Singh and the township committee members — in April asking if they could at least, perhaps, eliminate the boom and focus on the glitter.
For some people, the booming noise is actually a priority, and vendors work to create louder, more concussive blast waves into their shows. John Groeger, director of Parks & Recreation, told The Montgomery News the township is not able to change its fireworks package from the vendor. The loud flashbangs cannot be removed and replaced with the much quieter color displays. Also, there is no other location that could accommodate the 10,000 people who attend the fireworks.
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Montgomery Township Committeeman Mike Martin told The Montgomery News that nothing can be done about the loud fireworks this year.
"Unfortunately, I don’t have a solution," he said. "Parks and Recreation looked again at package options for this year. Among the vendor’s choices were louder package options, and the package chosen was not among the loudest. However, it includes some loud bursts and may not appear much different than last year.
"Going into next year, I asked if he [John Groeger] could push further to ask vendors to customize their offerings, not just insist on selling packages that don’t have good low decibel options. We need to specifically remove the loudest flash bangs."
While the SAVE animal shelter will play loud lullaby music, it will not drown out the nearby explosions, Achenbach said. "We could drug them with gabapentin and Trazodone. At least they will be caged, and cannot escape. Some pets run away and are never found."
Achenbach urges the township leaders to seriously consider alternatives. "What about skydivers? Or a lightshow or drone show?" she asks.
