Economy snuffing out local fireworks displays
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Economy Snuffs Fireworks Displays
The annual Fourth of July fireworks displays are feeling the effects of the recession.CRANSTON, R.I.—With cities and towns all across Southern New England devastated by the recession, more residents will have travel to see Fourth of July fireworks displays.
While most notable place for fireworks—Jamestown, Newport, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, and Providence—will take place, smaller communities will be skipping the colorful displays this year.
Cranston is one of the communities.
“Unfortunately, we had to cancel for the city of Cranston this year. One of the reasons was because of the tight financial times. In the past couple of years that the city did have it, a big chunk of it was funded through private donations. This year, I had to shift my resources in asking for private donations to help keep the Budlong Pool open for the kids,“ Cranston Mayor Allan Fung said.
It can cost a small community more than $20,000 to put on a fireworks display.
“Outside of just the cost of the fireworks, there are a lot of costs involved. From police and fire details, to the cost of insurance and the public works cleanup that we have to go through,“ Fung said.
New Bedford will be delaying its fireworks display until later in the summer. Mayor Scott Lang said he’s looking for private donations to fund a celebration.
Related Link: Find fireworks celebrations in your area
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It should be noted that the Jamestown Fireworks are funded fully by donation-not by the municipal budget. The Town of Jamestown does ,however, provide the police and fire protection for the event as well as the use of the beach. Donations are collected by a grass roots group calling themselves the “Rocket Hogs”. They do a fine job and provide a great service to Jamestown residents -and their friends.
Yeah—the businesses may, but the localities? No. Not really. Larger crowds mean more public services—protection and clean-up. Whatever the localities get that would be extra will probably be used in those areas.
The communities that are having the fireworks may also benefit from the larger crowds in the way of revenue to the towns with more people may equal more spending at local businesses.
Just a thought.
Just a sign of the times…..
I guess the communities that are putting on fireworks displays will have many more people around from the communities that aren’t. The crowds that are usually around will be far larger this year!
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