Fourth of July fund nears $25K goal

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Mike Fern
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edge staff writer

June 21, 2012

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With charity concert lineup set, fireworks display to be the largest in state

BANGOR – Area companies and individuals stepped up heavily and contributed over $7,000 last week, leaving just $440 to go to reach this year’s fundraising goal with just two weeks left before the annual Independence Day parade and fireworks celebration.

According to Tony Bernatche, chair of the nonprofit 4th of July Corporation, this year’s goal was set at $25,000 but with such a strong response organizers hope to allocate closer to $30,000 for both the day’s parade and fireworks, the latter of which is the largest expense of the day’s celebration. On the heels of the success of last year’s fireworks display – it was the largest Bangor area residents have seen in recent memory – Bernatche said the great response from the community this year will allow organizers to commit the additional $5,000, making this year’s display the largest in the state.

“I truly appreciate the help we’ve received from the community, which has made this event not only possible but also the largest the state has ever seen,” Bernatche said. “We have some additional expenses this year with the concert venue, so if we reach $30,000, it will be able to provide the greater Bangor area with an entire day of Independence Day celebrations and entertainment.”

Also announced Tuesday was the lineup for the July 4 Chords for the Cure VIII charity concert set for the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion. Headlined by The Stone Doctors, a Rolling Stones tribute band comprised of professionals from around the region, additional acts slated to perform include popular area musician Chris Ross, blues and rock solo act Garry Ciambella, and local groups Juicebox and 161. One additional act is being finalized and will be announced later this week.

Admission will be $5 for adults and $3 for children, with all the proceeds benefiting The 4th of July Corporation, Eastern Maine Healthcare’s Cancer Care center and the ALS Foundation. In addition, volunteers will be manning a bucket brigade to collect donations to defray the day’s expenses and raise funds for the respective charities.

"Obviously we want to have a bucket brigade type of thing going on throughout the day. The idea would be for people to put in a dollar, $10 or whatever [they can], which will go to help the Kiwanis, and the remainder would go to the new pediatric oncology center at Cancer Care of Maine in Brewer and the ALS folks," Ian Dickey, a member of The Stone Doctors and an orthopedic surgeon and oncologist at Eastern Maine Medical Center, said in an earlier interview.

Editor’s Note:

To help the 4th of July Corporation reach their goal of $25,000 for this year’s event, those business and individuals who make a donation will be listed each week in The Maine Edge. To make a contribution to this wonderful community event, send your check or money order payable to the 4th of July Corporation, C/O The Maine Edge, P.O. Box 2639, Bangor, ME, 04402-2639.

Complete list of donors as of June 13: