Wednesday, May 28, 2008

July 4 Fireworks & Activities Will Go On

The show will go on.

According to Bret Cerny with the Dorchester Volunteer Fire Dept., the community's annual Independence Day fireworks display and community celebration is back on track and scheduled to take place July 4. There had been serious doubt whether the event would take place this year after Dorchester Area Community Association (DACA) members voted in March to disassociate the organization from the celebration, due in large part to a lawsuit stemming from a July 4 incident in 2005.

In past years, DACA organized the Fourth activities and financed the evening fireworks. However, start-up funds that would normally be used for the 2008 celebration have been consumed by attorney fees to defend DACA against pending legal action by a town resident. "The $2,500 that the DACA normally provides Jeff Stilwagon for the evening fireworks would all have to be raised prior to July 4, a daunting task for a small community," said DACA president Carol Olson earlier this year.

As a result, private citizens will be responsible for raising funds for fireworks and other July 4 activities -- and town residents will be looked upon to provide financial resources for the celebration. According to information sent to the Times, fundraising efforts for this year's fireworks display have already begun.

Donation requests will be mailed shortly to area residents, according to Cerny. All donations can be sent directly to: Saline State Bank Dorchester Branch, 611 Washington St., Dorchester, NE 68343. Donations should be marked as "fireworks."

In addition to the evening fireworks, there will be food at the Legion from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., as well as a taekwondo demonstration at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m.

Other activities are currently in the planning process.

Developing...

15 comments:

  1. Thank Goodness! This is an event that has become a tradition with our family - one that is looked forward to every year.

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  2. Oh goody................ more money going to the Chinese .................. how about we just send them our wallets........

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  3. Our jobs are moving to China, so why not use their firecrackers to console ourselves.

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  4. Lets see what cynical richard and snap crackle pop want for this village. Must be NOTHING!!!!!
    These people are trying to do something good for the town and all they get is critisism.
    Thanks for your irrelivant comments!!!

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  5. Dick's comments aside, I promise you that 99.9% of this town is very excited and grateful to hear this news. Looks like my family and neighbors will be staying in town for the 4th after all. With the price of gas, I'm thankful times two!

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  6. Snap, Crackle, Pop is very happy that the celebration will go on. The purpose of my original post was to counter Cynical Richard.

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  7. Here is one out of town family that will be there again (and donating). If you are not sure of what your town has to offer please go to Seward for this day> I am sure you will fit right in with that circus. We will do just fine with out you.

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  8. I'll be giving at least $30 or however much I can afford. I think its worth it to be able to stay in the village. Thanks to the firefighters and other community leaders who stepped up to the plate. I understand why DACA couldn't do this but I was worried there wouldn't be a show this year.

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  9. I'm glad to hear of this development. Dorchester will get a lot of out of town visitors on the 4th. Afterall, Crete now celebrates its independence on Cinco de Mayo!!

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  10. Wilber celebrates its independence the first weekend in August.

    Veselé Vánoce (We welcome you.)

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  11. Ahhh ... you is so clever, Vested Czech. You're also here legally.

    Here's a suggested activity for Dorchester's 4th of July celebration: Circulate a petition to require prospective tenants/homeowners to get a rental/homeowner license from the city, which would then ask the federal government to verify the applicant's legal status before approving it.

    Around the country, about 100 cities or counties have now considered, passed or rejected similar laws. How much more patriotic does it get than insuring that your town residents are actually American?

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  12. Young 90's grad.....you may be surprised as to my status and story.

    May you enjoy many happy moments in your journey to enlightenment.

    Sincerely,

    Babička

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  13. GREAT NEWS, INDEED! Will the parade be back????

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  14. If there is a parade maybe they can get a cement truck to enter.

    Run the parade route though the sides streets and instead of candy, toss out shovels, trowels and floats so that everyone can help do what should have been done 35 years ago!

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