$5K Twp. Sponsorship OK'd for Fireworks Festival

Washington Township’s annual Fireworks Festival received a much needed punch in the financial arm recently, as the governing body approved a donation to help the event reach its spending goal.

In April, that could hinder the town’s single largest annual event.

No set figure was requested, rather a request for consideration from the township.

At its May work session meeting, the five committeemen discussed how much from its special projects fund it could expend for the event. That fund allows the committee up to $12,000 to use for non-budgeted items throughout the year.

The fund, however, has been reduced from $30,000 to its current total since last year, Mayor Ken Short said, as the group looks to condense expenditures wherever possible.

Committeeman Tracy Tobin said he was willing to use $2,750 for the event – an homage to the 275th anniversary celebration – and asked WTCEO president Josh Drake if there was anyway of reducing fireworks costs.

“Fireworks are very expensive,” Drake said. “We’ve looked around for a while, and the company we use… what we get for $10,000 is better than any other company around."

Drake said it’s the fireworks that draw spectators more than any other aspect of the event, recognizing the need to keep the nighttime sky display.

Committeeman David Kennedy pointed out the role of the committee for an event like this, and the governing body should make a statement with its donation.

“This is our celebration,” Kennedy said. “We need to lead by example.”

Kennedy said he’d be willing to donate $5,000 from the special projects fund, and Vice Mayor Bill Roehrich followed suit.

“I really think the town should be the leading sponsor on this,” Roehrich said.

A gold sponsor for the event is $5,000.

“Residents have also offered to be sponsors,” Drake said, “which is the first time that’s ever happened.”

Committeeman James LiaBraaten and Short also agreed to $5,000. When the measure came to a vote, all agreed save for Tobin, who felt the number was too high when considering only a $12,000 allotment in the special projects fund.

The Fireworks Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21.