Community Corner

Though Committee 'Tried Desparately,' Tewksbury Unable to Pay for Fourth of July Fireworks

The town searched for a location to hold a carnival to support the cost of the fireworks, but was unsuccessful.

Despite the hard work of committee members, attempts to hold a fireworks display this year in Tewksbury have officially fizzled out.

Tewksbury Public Events and Celebrations Committee chairman Cheryl Gay said on Monday that while the group “tried desperately” to find a location to hold a carnival to pay for the fireworks, those efforts were unsuccessful. As a result, the committee will be unable to plan a fireworks display for the Fourth of July this year.

Earlier this year, Tewksbury officials reached out to the Town of Wilmington in an attempt to organize a combined Fourth of July celebration since Wilmington is unable to hold its normal festivities while it builds a new high school. Officials from Wilmington declined the invitation, however, leaving things in limbo for Tewksbury.

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Gay said her committee had hoped to have a carnival at Livingston Park, but because of sports schedules it was not plausible.

As a result, the committee turned to landlords who own plazas in Tewksbury. No business owner was willing to give up their parking lot for the weekend, and the decision was made that there would be no fireworks this year.

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“It’s sad that we won’t be able to have it,” said Gay. “We know there will be a lot of disappointment. It’s as upsetting to us as much as it is to the residents. We want them to know we are doing our best to do whatever we can do to help the Patriotic Committee and bring other things to Tewksbury. Unfortunately, this year we have to just say that we are sorry, and we’ll try again next year.”

In the upcoming months, several activities are scheduled in Tewksbury. On September 14, the town will host its first annual Fall Harvest Fair, which is designed to be an old-fashioned style New England fair. In addition, there will be the annual Christmas event, scheduled for December 7.

Gay added that officials are attempting to find a away to incorporate a fireworks display into the Fall Harvest Fair, but she said there are no guarantees that it will be possible.

The Public Events and Celebrations Committee chairman urged residents to trust that members are doing their best to give the town something to celebrate in the future. She said that with more time to plan, the hope is to return fireworks to Tewksbury next year.

“Don’t count us out,” said Gay. “We will figure it out. We have a great committee and everyone works very hard.”


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