Jerry Selissen wants there to be fireworks in Tewksbury, once again, this summer.

However, Selissen, the President of the Friends of the Patriotic Activities Committee, says that despite the best fundraising efforts, donations are down this year and that fireworks on the Fourth of July may not be possible.

One of the FOTPAC's big fundraising events of the year is the Big Bang Bash, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17 at the Tewksbury Country Club. The vent has a summertime theme and there will be a small fireworks display out on the golf course.

Entertainment will be provided by the Beach Breakers. Tickets include hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, coffee and tea and pastry. Tickets, which are $15, had been selling fairly slow, said Selissen.

"Response has been limited so far," said Selissen, in an interview on Feb. 13. "We have an annual budget of $30,000. $17,000 of that goes for July 4th and $13,000 goes for Memorial Day."

According to Selissen, the FOTPAC runs three fundraising an events per year, which augment corporate donations.

"The corporate donations have been down too," he said, noting that many businesses were cutting back on donations because of the shaky economy." I’ve got two places that gave $2,000 last year and this year only gave $500."

With that in mind, Selissen and his committee are making a fundraising full court press, starting with the event Friday night.

"We're hoping to get a big turnout for the Bash," he said. "But if people can't make it, they can still send in their donations Friends of the Patriotic Activities Committee, PO Box, 436, Tewksbury, MA, 01876.

For more information on the Big Bang Bash or any of the FOTPAC events, you can contact Jerry Selissen at 978-500-1662,