Seaside Heights had to cancel its fireworks display for a second time.

Seaside Heights boardwalk
Seaside Heights boardwalk (Kena Betancur/Getty Images)
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The borough was expected to launch its Fourth of July fireworks show on Sunday night at 9:30 p.m., but was forced to cancel it due to winds exceeding regulatory limitations, according to a post on its Facebook page.

There will be no make-up display, according to Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz, who said that weekly Wednesday fireworks will begin this week.

Last night's show was rescheduled from July 4 when the borough had to cancel the show due to a wave that soaked the fireworks.

A post on the Borough's Facebook page explained that the fireworks launch site on Saturday night was set up on the beach closer to the surf than normal. The site set up location needed to follow a state regulation requiring that they be set up a minimum of 120 feet away from the crowd. "The fireworks were soaked by a wave that made it up to the 110' mark. Wet fireworks = no fireworks," reads the post, explaining that the ocean was rougher and higher than expected.

The Borough of Seaside Heights expressed regret over the "inconvenience and disappointment" caused by the sudden cancellation of its fireworks display after hundreds gathered on the boardwalk to watch the display over the ocean on Saturday night.

In a separate email, Vaz said there are no taxpayer dollars lost because of the cancellation. "Coca-Cola pays for the fireworks and, in any event, the contract provides for a rain date.

Other displays around the area went off without a problem on July 4, despite showers at periods throughout the day.

The Seaside Heights Facebook page hosted comments from many who were disappointed and upset over the cancellation. "We chose Seaside this year and were charged $25 to park because fireworks were scheduled," commented Karen Mason-Colella. "We drove all the way from York, PA today to watch the fireworks at Seaside Heights, only to get disappointed that they got cancelled. What a waste of a 3 hour trip," posted Charles R. Switzer. "Never again will I visit Seaside Heights, I will go back to vacationing in Ocean City, MD."

Others, however, pointed out that it was a circumstance beyond anyone's control. "Disappointing? Yes. Move on," wrote Jennifer Kersten.

The Borough said that fireworks in Seaside Heights have been a challenge since Superstorm Sandy in 2012 "because of the consequences of beach erosion."

Vaz elaborated in a email that the Borough "cancelled numerous scheduled fireworks last year. Our beach is more narrow post-Sandy and we've seen winds more out of the east, southeast which also impacts us when the wind exceeds 5 mph."

Vaz said the Seaside Heights Business Improvement District is exploring the use of the north beach as a launch site when conditions dictate.

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