Community Corner

Newtown Athletic Club to Sponsor First Fourth Fireworks

Newtown's annual Fourth of July fireworks were in jeopardy due to a lack of funding, but the NAC has stepped up to offer the $3,500 needed to continue the annual tradition.

 

The Newtown Athletic Club has stepped up to sponsor the annual First Fourth Fireworks display, to be held July 7.

Last week, due to a lack of funding. First Fourth Committee Vice Chair Paul Salvatore told Patch that the First Fourth fireworks have been an annual tradition for the past 12 years, but with the sluggish economy, businesses have less money to dole out for sponsorships.

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However, residents will no longer have to worry that the annual tradition will end this year.

Jim Worthington, Owner/President of the  has agreed to provide the $3,500 needed to insure the firworks will take place this year.

Find out what's happening in Newtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“This is an annual event that provides entertainment and good solid family fun for the community. It is a piece of Americana and that is what the NAC stands for, good family fun and recreation,” Worthington said.  Worthington said he believes the annual fireworks display is integral to Newtown's First Fourth celebration, which is one of several major community events.

First Fourth is an annual community event that is run entirely by volunteers.  It originally started as a joint venture between the township and the borough as a way to celebrate the July 4th holiday on the first Saturday of the month.

According to organizers, the day features a parade in Newtown, a baseball game between township and borough employees and a Colonial Encampment re-enactment at l with members of the Crossing Community  There are other activities for kids and families at the block party held at the Newtown Middle School, which culminates with the fireworks in the evening.

Joe Gordon, First Fourth Committee chairman, said the donation from Worthington and the NAC is a significant boost to the event.  “We literally didn’t know where to turn,” Gordon said. But more help is still needed.  

Gordon said he hopes that this show of support from the NAC will inspire others in the business community to support the event in any way that they can.

There are many expenses involved in producing this annual event, he said, and funding from the borough and township has dried up due to budget constraints. Funds are needed for marketing, shuttle buses, portable toilets, permits and general operating expenses.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Paul Salvatore at 267-312-3527 or salvatorepaul@hotmail.com.

To get Facebook updates on the event, click here.


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