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...