Funds being raised for Independence Day display

What is the Fourth of July without fireworks? It seems almost unthinkable, and yet these difficult economic times are squeezing expenditures for fireworks out of city budgets.

The City of Newton is no different, with no line item in its budget for fireworks for the past several years, and this year the Newton Parks Commission has been entrusted with the task of raising funds for this year’s fireworks display.

“There won’t be any display this year if we don’t raise some money,” said Parks Commission member Bruce Showalter. He said that since time is short for any fund-raising efforts, the commission was hoping to garner a few corporate sponsors, but any donations will not be turned down.

Parks Commission member Dennis Combs said the group hopes to raise $7,500 toward fireworks by the end of April, and if the money is raised in a reasonable amount of time to pay the fireworks company early and lock in costs, the commission could receive $10,000 worth of fireworks for that price.

Due to the fact that the Fourth of July falls on Sunday this year, Newton’s Independence Day parade is scheduled for Monday, July 5, and the fireworks display will be held that evening.

The Parks Commission is also considering a change of venue this year as well. With the reconfiguration of East Eighth Street North, and Trinity Structural Towers new staging area eating up much of the parking sites for the traditional fireworks locations, perhaps a new location would be advisable. The logistics of a new site have yet to be worked out, however.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the fireworks fund should send checks to the City of Newton, Parks and Recreation Department, 3400 N. Fourth Ave. E., Newton, IA 50208.

John Jennings can be contacted at 792-3121 ext. 425 or via e-mail at jjennings@newtondailynews.com.