Go Fourth! Fund seeks donations for inaugural Lewes July 4 fireworks
The launch of a new annual holiday event in Lewes has begun.
Jointly managed by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and City of Lewes, and supported by donations from local businesses and individuals, the Go Fourth! Fund will organize a 20-minute fireworks extravaganza to begin at 9 p.m., Wednesday, July 4, off Lewes Beach.
The fund is being managed by the Greater Lewes Foundation, and the display will be produced by Schaefer Fireworks of Ronks, Pa. The display will be launched from a large floating barge from Hays Tug and Launch Services of Chester, Pa., anchored 500 feet off Lewes Beach.
Local home builder Russ Palmer is serving as the first Go Fourth! honorary chair, helping to raise the $45,000 needed for the 2018 event. Members of his fundraising committee include Terri Colegrove, Paul Evalds and Rich Garrett. Interested sponsors can contact any of these people or call Terri Colegrove at 302-644-0107.
"Our objective is to generate that amount before the end of the year," Palmer said. Appeal letters will be mailed shortly to about 100 local businesses and organizations, many of whom have already committed. Those who donate this year will be permanently recognized as inaugural sponsors of Go Fourth!
Donors to any of the four suggested levels of support will be acknowledged throughout the coming months in event literature and invited to a recognition event next June.
"The community response to Go Fourth! has been tremendous," said Betsy Reamer, chamber executive director. "We are hearing, over and over, that it is about time Lewes had its own Independence Day fireworks display." Reamer said a website and informational map identifying parking areas will be developed. The rain delay date is Thursday, July 5, also at 9 p.m.
Mayor Ted Becker said Lewes is getting known across the state for its public-private collaborations. "From the Lewes Canalfront Park to the Lewes Public Library and the Lewes History Museum, our reputation as a real community that works together is growing every year," Becker said. "With mutual cooperation, city leaders and residents are able to get amazing things accomplished."
As more people continue to relocate to the greater Lewes region, Becker said new opportunities for involvement and contribution are occurring every year. "Go Fourth! Is just the latest example of how we are all working together to improve and maintain the quality of life in the Lewes region. This will be a tremendous new addition to our community calendar," he said.
Go Fourth! Fact Sheet
Pets can be upset by fireworks, so please keep them indoors during this event. Use of an offshore barge will mitigate noise issues.
Go Fourth! is a free public event.
Go Fourth! committee members include: Lewes Mayor Ted Becker; Debbie and Mike Burns, Lewes residents; Kay Carnahan, Berkshire Hathaway; Terri Colegrove, Horizon Philanthropic; Pat Cooper, Coastal State Parks; Mike DiPaolo, Lewes Historical Society; Janice Erich, Cape Shores HOA; Paul Evalds, Donor/Avatar Instruments; Rich Garrett, Children's Beach House; Heath Gehrke, Cape May-Lewes Ferry; Alison Kirk, City of Lewes; Grant Melville, Cape Henlopen State Park; Russ Palmer, honorary chair, Go Fourth Committee; Greg Rashdorf, Lewes Yacht Club; Mike Rawl, Greater Lewes Foundation; Betsy Reamer, chair, Go Fourth! Committee; Tom Spell, Lewes police chief; and Ann Marie Townshend, Lewes city manager.
