Jefferson County Parks and Recreation will host a Bingo Bash this Sunday at Sam Michaels Park’s Community Center. The bash serves as the first of several upcoming fundraisers to help cover the cost of the July 4 Independence Day celebration in Jefferson County.

The Parks and Rec officially takes over the organization of the event this year from a small group of citizens who have worked to make the annual event a success since it was reestablished at the park in 2011.

Parks Director Jennifer Myers said, “We have been a partner in the event and feel that now is the time to move it under the auspices of our department.”

“We have donated the park and people associate the event with the park system,” she continued. “The committee who has worked on this event has done a fabulous job, but it’s not something that should fall on the shoulders of individuals; it should be a county event.”

The annual fireworks display begins with an afternoon of activity in the park. That format will not change, Myers said. There will be moon bounces and face painting and activities that have been done in the past as well as food and other vendors. The evening culminates with a pyrotechnic show.

The event has drawn between 8-10,000 people each year and will only get bigger as it is the only venue in the county for and Independence Day celebration. The event has been offered free to the public in the past and Myers indicated the goal is to keep it that way.

However, the event doesn’t come cheap. The cost of the pyrotechnic and the additional costs of putting on the event run around $25,000. Myers believes that those who have partnered in the past, including the cities of Ranson and Charles Town, will continue to be a part of the event. Business sponsorship is currently be sought as well and fundraisers will be held throughout the coming months to ensure that the event goes on as planned.

The first fundraiser, a Bingo Bash, will be held this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Jefferson County Community Center. Those 18 and older can play an afternoon of bingo in an attempt to take home the cash prizes. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the cost to play for the afternoon is only $30. Additional games and tip jars will also be available. Concessions will also be available for purchase at the event.

Those who may be interested in donating to the annual July event may contact Myers at 304-728-3207

“It’s a great family event and we certainly want to keep it going,” Myers said. “But we can’t do it without the help of the community.”