Despite not reaching their fundraising goal, fire and recreation officials say the Night Before the Fourth fireworks and celebration, a 52-year local tradition, will indeed be held.
"Everything's a go," said Fire Capt. Stephen Smith, chairman of the Night Before the Fourth Committee.
In April, Smith announced the fireworks, parade and other July 3 festivities would be canceled over a lack of money. A public outcry arose shortly thereafter, and Smith and his committee agreed to coordinate the Independence Eve bash once the town's Recreation Department stepped forward to spearhead a fundraising effort - as long as enough money was collected by June 8.
Smith estimated that the event would cost about $30,000, with $25,000 or so solely being allotted for the payment of fireworks.
By Monday's deadline, $19,000 had been raised, said Recreation Coordinator Aicha Kelley.
Smith said he met with his committee Tuesday morning and they agreed to put on the event and signed a contract with a fireworks seller and other vendors.
"We're in good shape, and we want to go forward," Smith said, explaining money was still coming in.
"We were optimistic enough to sign a contract. We'll work with what we have," Kelley said, explaining that the contract doesn't commit them to paying any particular amount.
She said if organizers don't get the $25,000 on time, fewer fireworks will be purchased than normal and the show will be a bit less grand.
The Recreation Department will continue to raise funds, Kelley said, as the department is cold-calling possible donors and still selling $25 T-shirts that read "Got fireworks? I saved them! 7/3/09."
"It's amazing what $25 will do," she said, "what $10 will do."
She said local businesses have been good in donating, but most of the money has been given by residents. Raising $19,000 in just over two weeks was "unprecedented," Kelley said.
"It's the town that should be proud of themselves," she said.
Smith said he has faith in Walpole residents to chip in the remaining funds before July 3.
"I really believe the money will be there," he said.
Despite not reaching their fundraising goal, fire and recreation officials say the Night Before the Fourth fireworks and celebration, a 52-year local tradition, will indeed be held.
"Everything's a go," said Fire Capt. Stephen Smith, chairman of the Night Before the Fourth Committee.
In April, Smith announced the fireworks, parade and other July 3 festivities would be canceled over a lack of money. A public outcry arose shortly thereafter, and Smith and his committee agreed to coordinate the Independence Eve bash once the town's Recreation Department stepped forward to spearhead a fundraising effort - as long as enough money was collected by June 8.
Smith estimated that the event would cost about $30,000, with $25,000 or so solely being allotted for the payment of fireworks.
By Monday's deadline, $19,000 had been raised, said Recreation Coordinator Aicha Kelley.
Smith said he met with his committee Tuesday morning and they agreed to put on the event and signed a contract with a fireworks seller and other vendors.
"We're in good shape, and we want to go forward," Smith said, explaining money was still coming in.
"We were optimistic enough to sign a contract. We'll work with what we have," Kelley said, explaining that the contract doesn't commit them to paying any particular amount.
She said if organizers don't get the $25,000 on time, fewer fireworks will be purchased than normal and the show will be a bit less grand.
The Recreation Department will continue to raise funds, Kelley said, as the department is cold-calling possible donors and still selling $25 T-shirts that read "Got fireworks? I saved them! 7/3/09."
"It's amazing what $25 will do," she said, "what $10 will do."
She said local businesses have been good in donating, but most of the money has been given by residents. Raising $19,000 in just over two weeks was "unprecedented," Kelley said.
"It's the town that should be proud of themselves," she said.
Smith said he has faith in Walpole residents to chip in the remaining funds before July 3.
"I really believe the money will be there," he said.
