BRIEFLY : Festivals: Lomita Seeks Donations for Fireworks

Lomita is trying to give its 30th anniversary celebration more of a bang, but first it needs to find the bucks.

Officials are hoping to stage a fireworks display on the final day of the annual Founder’s Day festivities June 24-26. But budget concerns and a $4,600 price tag have kept the plans in check.

Mayor Ben Traina appealed to the community for donations to pay for the fireworks. Last year, the Chamber of Commerce, which used to pay for the show, eliminated it in favor of a street fair.

“I don’t want the citizens of Lomita to have to go outside of the city for fireworks,” Traina said. “I think a show would help bring the city together.”

So far, Traina said he has received $500 from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. If organizers fail to raise enough money to hold a show, Traina said the donations will be used for a display next year.

Lomita officials also revived another community event for this year’s celebration: the Lomita Jim Thorpe 5K Run/Walk, which was cut in 1986 because it lost money.

More than $5,300 in donations from residents and businesses helped bring back the race, scheduled for June 26. The expected cost for the race is more than $5,000.

In addition, the City Council said it would cover any race losses up to $1,000. Lawson Pedigo cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he objected to using city money to cover potential losses.