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Paul “Andy” Stewart
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Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL)
June 30, 2011
Dundee Limits July 4th Event Citing Budgetary Constraints
Author: DONNA KELLY
Town will have fireworks over Lake Marie, but there will be no food, vendors or family
activities. DUNDEE The shores of Lake Marie will be lit up July 4 although the town will not
hold an Independence Day celebration as it has done in the recent past.
Town Manager Andy Stewart said folks are welcome to line up along Lake Marie beginning
around 8:30 p.m. for the 9 p.m. fireworks show. But there won't be any family activities, food
vendors or entertainment other than the fireworks. Budgetary constraints forced town staff to
choose between the $10,000 fireworks show and the family event normally held earlier in the
day.
Stewart said that last year the fireworks display cost $10,000 and the event ran about $2,500
with about $3,500 raised in donations.
During a tight budget year, the town has $10,000 earmarked for the fireworks show. All
donations received will offset the cost of the show. This year, approximately $3,500 has been
raised in donations, despite the efforts of Councilman Randy Dowd, who sent sponsor letters to
40 businesses asking for support.
Dowd said monetary support has gradually dwindled during the four years since the town began
holding the annual Light up the Shores of Lake Marie event. In addition to the tight budget, the
town also has a smaller staff now than in 2008. While the family event drew approximately 500
people last year, it wasn't nearly as successful as years past.
Stewart attributes this to the popularity of larger events held at the same time in neighboring
cities, such as Haines City's Thunder on the Ridge. Attendance was also down because many
people wanted to avoid the heat of the day and showed up just before the fireworks were
scheduled. "It wasn't becoming a signature event," Stewart said.
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