Gwinnett: No Money, No Fireworks; Duluth: Fireworks Tonight

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Gwinnett County government administrators are still trying to get the word out:

They canceled, months ago, the county's annual, "Gwinnett Glows" July 4th fireworks show at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville.

"Our financial situation is serious, here in Gwinnett," said Joe Sorenson, the Communications Director for Gwinnett County Government. "And this is one of our ways of, we think managing it responsibly."

The county was facing a budget shortfall of $40 million, was looking for places to cut, and eliminated the July 4, 2009 fireworks show, which was expected to cost $200,000.

"Sponsorships have dried up over the last couple of years," Sorenson said -- corporate sponsorships that paid for close to half of the total cost.

The popular "Gwinnett Glows" celebration was a fixture in Lawrenceville every July 4th for 20 years, and attracted, Sorenson said, up to 50,000 people each year.

"We knew that the community was going to miss the event. But the hope is that times will improve, you know times will improve, so we might must see this event back here."

Towns and counties across Georgia have been struggling to pay for fireworks this year, wanting to celebrate and honor the nation on its birthday, but barely able to balance their budgets.

In Gwinnett County, just up GA Highway 120 from Lawrenceville, the mayor of Duluth, Nancy Harris, and the City Council, almost canceled their annual July 3rd $40,000 fireworks show (at Scott Hudgens Soccer Park on River Green Parkway) because of their own budget crunch.

"We absolutely did," Harris said Thursday, "we talked about this event several times, and talked about, should we do this or should we not do anything."

But then, the bands agreed to play for free.

And the city is going to take up a collection at Friday's celebration to defray the costs.

Also, for the first time, Duluth wants to take advantage of the crowds to help the community's struggling families.

"We're asking people to bring canned goods when they come," Mayor Harris said. A non-profit will manage distribution to the families. "So we're going to be giving these canned goods to them that come in tomorrow night. We're expecting around 40,000 people."

"We're a very patriotic city," said Duluth City Councilmember Greg Whitlock. "We're keeping with the personality and the character of our city and citizens. The city is making [budget and services] sacrifices. We've cut back considerably. But this event is so important. The celebration of our nation. At the same time, with so many people going through so many difficult times, we're trying to step in, help with the can collections, and still bring everybody together in the community."

"Duluth Celebrates America"
Scott Hudgens Soccer Park
4545 River Green Parkway
(Off Peachtree Industrial Blvd.)

http://www.duluthga.net/