After a three year absence, the City of Plant City Recreation & Parks Department, the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Strawberry Festival are pleased to announce that the annual July 4th Celebration event is returning for 2012. First started in the summer of 2002, the event drew a standing room only crowd to Plant City Stadium for six years. Due to budgetary restraints and the economic downturn in 2008, the event had to be shelved and remained so for four years.
“We are excited that several area businesses and civic clubs have been able to step up and commit to the 2012 July 4th Celebration” said Recreation & Parks Director Jack Holland. “Now that it is definite that the event is happening, there will be others that will help out and make it a great event for our community.”
Enough has been committed from sponsors to cover the fireworks cost. Running around $20,000-$25,000, this is the most expensive part of the event. Additional costs for entertainment for both youth and adults leading up to the pyrotechnic show add to the overall need for financial and in-kind support from the community.
While City staff members are available for stadium support and security, the City is not able to spend additional dollars for the event due to its tight budget. Holland stated “In order for the event to be successful, we need the community’s corporate friends, non-profits and residents to come forward and assist in any way they can.”
Either financial or in-kind sponsors are needed for the following areas:
Stage and entertainment
Children’s play zone activities
Parking
Smaller contributions from area businesses, non-profits and residents will help to cover other costs of the event. Volunteers are also needed to help oversee the parking, entrance area, children’s play zone and assist in directing patrons to their seats. Arts and crafts vendors will be solicited to help round out the day’s fun.
Those interested in contributing, either financially, in-kind or by volunteering, should contact the Recreation & Parks Department at 813-659-4255 or the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce at 813-754-3707.
