Donations Needed for Independence Day Celebration
A patriotic weekend in Union County may be at the end of it's rope. Organizers said a shortage of cash could put the brakes on a decade long tradition.
"The last two years we've had trouble making ends meet," said Committee Chairman Graham Showalter of Lewisburg. He has cash concerns about this weekend's parade and fireworks display. It celebrates Independence Day a week early. "We could use another $20,000 between now and Saturday to defray all our costs," he said.
Showalter said the planning committee for the event is short because the parade has grown and they have to pay bands from several states to play. "You can't have a parade without a lot of bands, you can't have a silent parade and we want to make sure people are energized by what they see," said Showalter.
The parade got it's roots when a World War II veteran decided to restore a veteran's monument in downtown Lewisburg. He raised money for it. Now parade organizers hope others follow his patriotism and support the parade.
"We would hope the people of central Pennsylvania would help support this, not only financially, but come and enjoy what we have to offer," said Chairman Showalter.
"It's not only patriotic, it's also a sense of community," said Amy Horn. She is a downtown shop owner and plans to help keep the parade afloat.
If you want to help, donations can be sent to the Union County Veterans Fourth of July Committee, P.O. Box 544, Lewisburg, PA, 17837.
"The dilemma is, if we can't make it, at least break even this year, there may not be any activities next year because you can only do this so long and be in the red," said Showalter.
Fireworks start Friday night, 9:00 at Wolfe Field. The parade kicks off Saturday morning at 10:00 on Third Street.
