Mayor Brian Sullivan (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. Sullivan and Community Development Director Peter Miller announced today that the traditional Fireworks for Freedom in celebration of Independence Day will not be held in 2019. The City and its partner, the Friends of the Westfield 350, will focus their efforts and finances on enhancing the City’s 350th Birthday Weekend Fireworks celebration on Saturday, May 18th.
The “Fireworks for Freedom,” which for many years was sponsored by civic organizations, including the Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, and by private citizens, has been the responsibility of the City for the past three years. The City relies primarily on private donations to raise the $25,000 necessary to produce the event. This year, businesses and citizens have generously supported several local initiatives, including the various 350th birthday celebrations and the Babe Ruth World Series, among others.
“This is an incredibly difficult decision to make,” Mayor Sullivan said. “We are very fortunate in Westfield to have sponsors who step up year in and year out to make this celebration happen, and they’ve all been very generous this year in helping us and Westfield 350 put together an impressive birthday celebration,” he continued. “We just thought it would be unfair to ask them again, especially when there are so many other worthy causes seeking support this year.”
On New Year’s Eve, in conjunction with Westfield 350’s First Night Celebration, there was a fireworks show, and a second fireworks display will be held on Saturday, May 18th at 9:00 pm, at the Westfield Middle School field off West Silver Street. The 350th Birthday Celebration is being supported by lead sponsor Westfield Bank, and the 350th Birthday Fireworks Display is sponsored by Advance Manufacturing & the Amanti Family, are sponsoring the 350th Fireworks Display.
For additional information on the many activities planned for Westfield’s 350th Birthday Weekend celebration, visit their website at www.westfield350.org.
