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Fireworks show will go on in Jefferson

By Staff | Jun 27, 2014

Despite a funding cut to the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission implemented by the Jefferson County Commission, the 2014 Independence Day fireworks show at Sam Michael’s Park will go on.

According to Toni Milbourne, who is on the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation board, the funding for the fireworks event faced a cut of about $12,000 due to the county’s budget deficit in this fiscal year and cuts from previous consistent donors. Milbourne said the fireworks committee, a group of citizens in Jefferson County, is budgeting for next year’s fireworks with the expectation of not receiving funding from the county.

The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission held fundraisers to cover the cost of this year’s fireworks show at Sam Michael’s Park.

“The goal for everything, all expenses paid, is $22,000,” Milbourne said. “There’s some money that we expect to come in, but as of right now, we’re about $4,000 short of that goal.”

According to Milbourne, some local businesses have indicated intentions to make donations to support the cost of the fireworks show.

Milbourne said there will also be a donation basket at the door on July 5, the day of the park’s Independence Day celebration.

“With the amount of people that come out to see the fireworks, if every family put five dollars in the bucket, we’d be covered,” she said.

Even if the full amount of $22,000 has not been raised by July 5, Milbourne said the show will definitely go on.

“There have been some rumors circulating that there won’t be a fireworks show this year. There’s no way we could cancel it. The company (running the fireworks show) knows we’re trying to scrape up every dollar, but they’re willing to work with us,” Milbourne said.

The Independence Day event at Sam Michael’s Park will include a business and vendor’s area, as well as the Jefferson Arts Council’s “Art in the Park” crafts and activities for children. There will also be food vendors and live music. Gates open at 2 p.m., and fireworks will begin at dusk.

In the event of inclement weather, the rain date for the fireworks show is Sunday, July 6. Milbourne said there has been rain on the day of the fireworks show in the past, but it has never been canceled due to the weather.

For more information, or to make a donation, contact Milbourne at 304-702-3026.