4th of July Board Loses Spark; Huntington Studies Options

The city’s annual Fourth of July celebration was a big bang but has become a burnout for event volunteers.

And they are asking for the city’s help to keep the tradition alive.

“We work tremendously hard to make this event happen,” said Debbie Cope, Fourth of July executive board president. “It’s one of the most time-consuming (city) boards. We don’t have the time to put in full time.”

Although late-night disturbances marred the city’s holiday observance, the resulting arrests were not connected to board-sponsored events, Cope said.

But she said the heavy planning burden carried by the 15-member panel has resulted in eight members resigning, including herself. Members organize the various events, including the parade--the past celebration marked the 90th annual parade--fair, fund-raisers and promotional runs.

In addition to the board’s work, the event has attracted about 300 other volunteers.

Board members raised $229,505 to put on this year’s holiday celebration and expect to turn a $10,000 profit. But Cope said the fund-raising effort has also become a burden.

The City Council is reviewing three organizational alternatives for staging next year’s event. The option favored by the board would eliminate most of its fund-raising efforts and would require the city to contribute about $75,000.

This option could also change the minds of board members who don’t have the time to volunteer under the current organization, Cope said. Cope said the option would free the board to concentrate on the production of promotional runs, a parade and fireworks show.

The City Council is expected to consider the issue at its meeting next Monday.