CHARLES TOWN — Although picnics and the Fourth of July might seem a long way off, the organizers of Jefferson County’s fireworks display are already planning this year’s big event.
The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Board hopes to raise at least $25,000 to $30,000 for this summer’s fireworks show, scheduled for June 30, the Saturday before the Fourth of July. The display is offered free to the public.
Last year’s display attracted between 8,000 and 10,000 people to Sam Michael’s Park, and Parks and Recreation Board member Toni Milbourne said she expects more than 10,000 spectators this time.
“It was a huge response,� she said of the turnout last year.
The event featured live entertainment at the park, where people were encouraged to bring chairs and blankets and set up picnics. The fireworks were set off near dusk, and it will be organized the same way this year.
“We didn’t hear a negative thing,� said Milbourne, who is chairwoman of the Parks and Recreation Special Events Committee. “People were excited that it was back in the community.�
Fireworks were traditionally set off by the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, but the Park Service stopped the event after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Milbourne said residents complained that there were no longer fireworks in the county, so the Parks and Recreation board decided to organize them in 2006.
Donations for last year’s event came from area businesses, developers, individuals and the county’s five municipalities, she said.
Milbourne said she plans to seek funding from the community businesses and the municipalities again this time.
She also plans to request funding from the Jefferson County Commission during today’s regular meeting. The commission chose not to donate funds last year, “so I’m trying again,� she said Tuesday.
Commissioner Dale Manuel, who serves as the commission’s liaison to Parks and Recreation, said he knew the fireworks event was a big success last year.
“The event itself, I think, was phenomenal and well received,� Manuel said Tuesday evening. “Everybody had a good time.�
He said he was not sure what the commission would decide today about funding.
“We’ll have the opportunity to listen to Toni’s presentation. ... I’m glad she is coming before us.�
Manuel said he was not sure if the funding request would be considered during the commission’s regular budget cycle this spring, or if the request is approved, funding could come from video lottery money.
Milbourne is scheduled to give a presentation at 10 a.m. during today’s meeting.
The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Board hopes to raise at least $25,000 to $30,000 for this summer’s fireworks show, scheduled for June 30, the Saturday before the Fourth of July. The display is offered free to the public.
Last year’s display attracted between 8,000 and 10,000 people to Sam Michael’s Park, and Parks and Recreation Board member Toni Milbourne said she expects more than 10,000 spectators this time.
“It was a huge response,� she said of the turnout last year.
The event featured live entertainment at the park, where people were encouraged to bring chairs and blankets and set up picnics. The fireworks were set off near dusk, and it will be organized the same way this year.
“We didn’t hear a negative thing,� said Milbourne, who is chairwoman of the Parks and Recreation Special Events Committee. “People were excited that it was back in the community.�
Fireworks were traditionally set off by the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, but the Park Service stopped the event after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Milbourne said residents complained that there were no longer fireworks in the county, so the Parks and Recreation board decided to organize them in 2006.
Donations for last year’s event came from area businesses, developers, individuals and the county’s five municipalities, she said.
Milbourne said she plans to seek funding from the community businesses and the municipalities again this time.
She also plans to request funding from the Jefferson County Commission during today’s regular meeting. The commission chose not to donate funds last year, “so I’m trying again,� she said Tuesday.
Commissioner Dale Manuel, who serves as the commission’s liaison to Parks and Recreation, said he knew the fireworks event was a big success last year.
“The event itself, I think, was phenomenal and well received,� Manuel said Tuesday evening. “Everybody had a good time.�
He said he was not sure what the commission would decide today about funding.
“We’ll have the opportunity to listen to Toni’s presentation. ... I’m glad she is coming before us.�
Manuel said he was not sure if the funding request would be considered during the commission’s regular budget cycle this spring, or if the request is approved, funding could come from video lottery money.
Milbourne is scheduled to give a presentation at 10 a.m. during today’s meeting.