By Marie Voorhees for The Montgomery News | June 11, 2026
As a local farmer, I am concerned about the impact of the Montgomery Township’s annual fireworks display on nearby livestock.
Baby alpacas at Hidden Spring Lavender and Alpaca Farm in Skillman in May. The farm is a popular destination for Montgomery Township’s agritourism industry.
Photo by Barbara A. Preston
Our farm, Hidden Spring Lavender & Alpaca Farm, is located one-quarter mile from Montgomery High School, where the fireworks are held. We breed and raise alpacas as our primary business.
Fireworks generate sudden, high-decibel noise that can trigger acute stress responses in animals. In livestock, this stress can lead to panic, injury, fence damage, exposure to smoke and debris, and in some cases, pregnancy loss.
These are well-documented risks in agricultural and veterinary contexts.
Unfortunately, this impact is not hypothetical to us.
Since we began breeding, we have experienced issues every year following the fireworks display, including the loss of pregnancies and, most notably, a stillborn cria (baby alpaca) just one day after the event.
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Since 2022 alone, we 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 owns Hidden Spring Lavender & Alpaca Farm in Skillman.
Photo by Barbara A. Preston
I fully appreciate the township’s efforts to balance community interests and do not seek to eliminate public celebrations. Rather, I respectfully ask the township to consider practical mitigation measures to reduce harm to nearby agricultural operations, including:
Increasing the distance between the launch site and active farms.
Eliminating high-decibel explosive shells.
Exploring lower-noise alternatives such as drone or light-based displays.
I previously raised this issue with the township’s Parks and Recreation director and was informed there are no alternative locations for the fireworks. However, this response does not address the underlying concern or reflect a balanced approach to supporting all stakeholders, including the agricultural community.
Our livelihood depends on the health and stability of our animals. Each pregnancy loss carries significant financial cost — typically between $5,000 and $10,000 — as well as long-term impacts on our breeding program.
I welcome the opportunity to assist in identifying a balanced solution.
Marie Voorhees owns Hidden Spring Lavender & Alpaca Farm in Skillman.
