Fireworks go off on Friday

By DREW STAMBAUGH

Enterprise News Editor

After years of Swanton Parks and Recreation handling the Fourth of July fireworks display, the Village of Swanton and Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce have stepped to the plate to coordinate the activities.

This year's fireworks display will be Friday, July 3 at dusk. The fireworks will be at Swanton High School.

"The best viewing will be inside the football stadium," said Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce Director Neil Toeppe. "Viewing is also available at the practice field but that will be quite aways from the DJ and the food vendors."

The DJ and vendors will be at the Swanton High School football stadium. There will also be vendors selling the usual treats such as ice cream and funnel cakes.

"Hopefully [the fireworks] will be what folks have come to expect," said Toeppe. "Last year there was the rain-out on the Fourth and they had to be rescheduled for after the first football game of the season."

Flooding rains inudated the football stadium causing the long delay in the show. The rain date this year is Saturday, July 4.

The cost of the show this year with be around $8,000 for the fireworks, DJ and everything else, according to Toeppe.

The village is fronting the money for the display and will be reimbursed through donations.

"A solicitation has been sent to all Swanton Chamber of Commerce members and checks are coming in," Toeppe said. "However we will still need to colect more to cover all of the costs, so we have collection jars at various businesses around town and we will be asking for donations from those attending the event."

As of Friday, about $1,500 has been raised from local businesses and several hundred dollars from the collection jars, he added.

Gates will open at 6 p.m. with festivities beginning at 7 p.m. Volunteers are still needed and are welcome to call Toeppe at (419) 826-1941 to help with cash raffles, donation soliciatation and other activities.