“When the town of Wake Forest asked residents to define what gives our community its small town character, they identified our Fourth of July Celebration as one of the things that make Wake Forest the charming small town it is.”
That is how Rob Mitchell, president of the July Fourth Committee, began a fundraising letter sent to many town residents, giving them the opportunity to sponsor all or part of the event. Sponsorships range from $15,000 – exclusive sponsorship of the fireworks show – to $200 – business name in the program and two tickets to the fireworks show – but people and businesses can also donate smaller amounts to help put smiles on thousands of faces. The deadline to sponsor or donate is June 1.
Newcomers may not realize that the town’s Fourth of July celebration, which began in 1973, is not a Town of Wake Forest function. The committee is made up of volunteers and a large part of the budget comes from the gate receipts at the stadium-fireworks show the previous year. The committee has had to solicit donations and sponsorships for the past few years as costs have mounted.
This year the committee will have to pay for police protection – in the past, it was provided without cost – and the current proposed town budget includes $11,240 for that cost, an increase over the $5,000 the town has donated for several years. Retired Town Manager Mark Williams also recommended against folding the Fourth into town government, recommending instead it remain a volunteer effort.
This year the stadium and fireworks show will be held in Trentini Stadium on Stadium Drive on Friday, July 3, and the children’s parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4, on North Main Street and end at Holding Park for the Art-in-the-Park and Games-in-the-Park.
If you would like to be a sponsor or a patron, call or email Mitchell at WFJuly4th@aol.com or 919-925-0375. Also let him know if you can volunteer at any or all of the events or help by providing cupcakes or other needed supplies.
The sponsorships and other opportunities are:
*$15,000 – exclusive sponsorship of the fireworks show. The business name in newspaper advertisements, in the program and 50 tickets to the fireworks show.
*$5,000 – Exclusive sponsorship of the live music show. The business name in newspaper advertisements, in the program and 25 tickets to the fireworks show.
*$1,000 – Major Patron. Business name in all advertising, in the program and 10 tickets to the fireworks show.
*$50 – Patron Business name in newspaper advertising, in the program and five tickets to the fireworks show.
$200 – Sponsor. Business name in the program and two tickets to the fireworks show.
$___ Name your amount. All gifts will be appreciated.
Send your checks to Wake Forest 4th of July, P.O. Box 466, Wake Forest, NC 27588.
