The Medford Celebrates Foundation, Inc. (“Celebrates”) and Medford Township have jointly announced plans to stage, on Friday, July 1, the Township’s traditional Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Display. For the fifth straight year, Medford Celebrates, a 501©(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 2011 to raise funds and public support for major Medford Township public events requiring Township services, has advised the Township that it has again solicited sufficient funds to enable the Township to stage the event at no cost to the municipality.
A large share of the costs of staging the event will again be covered by a substantial donation from ShopRite of Medford, who will again serve as the Presenting Sponsor.
“We are fortunate to have received donations of varying sizes by a number of local businesses and individuals, but ShopRite has really stepped up to help us out the past three years,” said Celebrates President, Bob Egan.
Renee Zallie added, “Watching fireworks is a big part of celebrating Independence Day. We are happy to be able to help Medford Township continue this American tradition.”
Egan continued “We have also obtained substantial donations from YMCA Camp Ockanickon of Medford, as the Kid’s Entertainment Sponsor, Columbia Bank as the Main Stage Sponsor, and Polymer Solutions as the Vendor’s Row Sponsor. Other corporate sponsors of note include Radwell International, Inc. as the Tailgate Sponsor, PJ Whelihan’s, Medford Ford, Bob Meyer Communities, Century 21 Meyer Realty, Medford Fitness and the Y.A.L.E. School.”
In addition, legal services have been donated by Archer & Greiner, P.C. and accounting services by the firm of Padden Cooper LLC.
The 2016 Independence Day Celebration will be held in Freedom Park on Friday, July 1, weather permitting. The park will open at 6 p.m. and the fireworks show will begin at dusk. Saturday, July 2 is the rain date.
The evening will feature many activities that have marked the Fireworks event in the past. Columbia Bank has signed on again this year to make it possible for Celebrates to fund the rental of a stage and sound system and bring back the local band favorite, No Commitment, which has played to widespread popular acclaim at the last three year’s Fireworks festivities. The local student M-Town Jazz Ensemble will also perform.
YMCA Camp Ockanickon of Medford will sponsor and run a number of activities for children aged 2–12. Local vendors will sell food, beverages and novelties. Local companies will man tents and tables to meet the public and distribute literature about their businesses in the Business Expo area.
Egan praised the contributions of all the sponsors, noting that fund raising is becoming more and more difficult. “This year, we have again obtained just enough pledges to fund the Fireworks and pay our other operating expenses, like advertising, website, insurance and government fees. Without the major contributions from ShopRite of Medford, Camp Ockanickon, Columbia Bank, Polymer Solutions and Radwell International, we would not be able to stage the event this year, and we are in jeopardy of losing the ability to do so in the future, unless we find new sources of revenue.”
As a result, Celebrates is asking people who come to the Fireworks to make a donation. Assistant to the Township Manager, Beth Portocalis, explained, “Admission is technically free, but if every family would contribute even a dollar for each family member who comes to watch, we can help assure that we can keep the fireworks going.”
Egan added “With approximately 15,000 to 25,000 people attending each year, a dollar a head would not cover all the costs but would give us a huge head start on next year. We hope that people understand that the Township cannot afford to stage these events and that they will not be possible without public support.” Donations can be made in person on the day of the event or on Celebrates’ website at www.medfordcelebrates.org.
The Celebrates trustees ask anyone interested in serving as a Trustee or assisting with events and activities to e-mail info@medfordcelebrates.org.
