Rockford’s 2019 4th of July Celebration Is In Jeopardy

The final numbers are in, and attendance was up at the Festival of Lights in 2018, (YAY) but the amount of cash left in the donation box at the end of the trail was not. (BOO)

One of the members of Rockford's Fire and Ice Committee, Ted O'Donnell told mystateline.com;

We had a great amount of traffic through the year, a lot of wonderful amounts of people coming through," he said. "We did have some great donations but, as any non-profit goes, you set your goal at a level you know you can make"

The goal set for 2018 was $20,000, and the event fell about $6,000 short. Donations received during the Festival of Lights are used to not only maintain and update the lights and displays for the following year, but they are also used to pay for Rockford's 4th of July fireworks display. So, does a shortfall in donations mean no fireworks in downtown Rockford in 2019?

Hopefully not, according to Ted O'Donnell. He told WTVO that the fireworks display is funded entirely by donations, primarily from local  businesses, so "if the fireworks are going to happen, it's because the public wants it".

O'Donnell also made a point to tell WTVO, "We will continue the Festival of Lights and we will continue the Fourth of July. We want people to know that".

I have faith that Rockford's Fire and Ice Committee will come through and put on a fabulous fireworks display for us to enjoy this July, but they still need all the help they can get. This community celebration should be a total community effort, so please consider making a donation at rockfordfireandice.com.

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