By Aleasha Sandley, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — Some Madison County cities and towns are getting creative as budget cuts threaten to mute their traditional Fourth of July holiday festivities.
From finding sponsors to collecting money from citizens, municipalities are doing what they can to continue their fireworks celebrations, even though budget shortfalls are only expected to grow in the coming years.
Anderson’s annual celebration featuring the Anderson Symphony Orchestra and fireworks at Shadyside Park will go on as usual this year, but only after local businesses Community Hospital, Saint John’s Health System and Hoosier Park Racing and Casino offered sponsorships.
The city only will fork over about $5,000 of the $15,000 price tag for the event, Parks and Recreation Department Business Manager Pam Clendenen said.
“We used to spend about $20,000-$25,000,” she said of the event, which started in 1999. “This year with the budget being so tight, had Saint John’s and Hoosier Park not stepped up, we would not have had the orchestra.”
Clendenen said the city had cut back on the fireworks show as budgets got tight. Community Hospital helped sponsor the event last year and will contribute the same amount this year.
“We have three sponsors, thank goodness, or we wouldn’t be putting it on,” she said. “This is will be the last year for it unless we do get it fully sponsored next year.”
The proposed 2010 parks budget does not include money for the annual event, which attracts 3,000-5,000 spectators.
“It’s an unbelievable patriotic concert,” Clendenen said. “It’s tearful; it’s so moving.”
The concert will start 8 p.m. Sunday with fireworks following around 9 p.m. or 9:15 p.m. Attendees are welcome to bring food and drinks to the park, and vendors also will sell items.
Other Fourth of July celebrations around the county were in danger of going unfunded this year as well.
Elwood firefighter Matt Boyland said that city likely wouldn’t be able to have its annual July 4 fireworks show without the help of the Elwood Optimist Club, which held fundraisers to pay for the event, which will be at Elwood Community High School.
“There’s always problems with the budget,” Boyland said.
Alexandria Mayor Jack Woods said this year’s fireworks show at dusk July 3 was not in danger of shutting down.
“This was all budgeted before we started getting in trouble (with the budget),” he said. “We may not be able to do it next year.”
Woods said the Alexandria Fire Department might pass around a boot at the event to collect money from citizens for next year’s fireworks show.
“When you look at every penny you can save, cities are becoming more creative now,” he said.
Chesterfield Deputy Clerk Pam Taylor said that town’s July 3 fireworks event would use a different company to provide the entertainment to save costs. Dynamite Brothers Fireworks will do this year’s show at dusk at the Indiana Operating Union of Engineers on Indiana 67.
