No fireworks in Rolesville on the 4th, but families can still have fun and help others in need
ROLESVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- The fastest growing town in North Carolina is scrapping its popular fireworks show and festival this 4th of July. It's the first time in 17 years that crowds in Rolesville will have to find another place to celebrate.
On any other Independence Day, the parking lot at Rolesville's Redford Place Community Park would be packed with thousands of people, but not this year. Rolesville Mayor Frank Eagles explained the Chamber of Commerce, which has hosted the annual festival for the last two years, let him know in December there weren't enough volunteers, and it couldn't afford to put on the show. Since the town didn't budget for it this fiscal year, Eagles' hands were tied.
Fireworks and public safety personnel alone cost about $10,000 and 6 months notice just wasn't enough to deliver the spectacle in the sky so many Wake County residents have come to enjoy and expect year after year.
"It's a decision by the town board and the town board's discussed it over and over and it's kind of - it touches everybody's heart, but if you can't do it, you can't do it," said Eagles.
One thing the people of Rolesville can do is look forward to next year. Eagles said some members of the community are already stepping up to donate money to the 4th of July fund and the show will likely run off those personal donations for years to come.
In the meantime, Mark Bloodworth, manager of the Rolesville Farmers' Market, is using the holiday to help some local families in need. He's closing early on Friday the 4th. From 6-7 p.m., he'll open the Farmers' Market on Main Street to anyone who wants to enjoy some family-friendly festivities. You can grab a good meal, take part in a homemade ice cream contest, or throw some water balloons. All donations from the event will go to three families who have children suffering from critical illnesses.
"Everybody knows it's tremendously hard financially when you're in the hospital," said Bloodworth. "I had a heart attack two-and-a-half years ago and found out how hard financially it is on everybody. And, you know, we just hope to relieve a little pressure. We just want to help a little bit. It just takes a little."
