The allocation of $25,000 in additional funding for Wilmington’s July 4 fireworks show is on the agenda Wilmington City Council will consider at its regular meeting Tuesday.
A notice from the City of Wilmington on Sunday night noted it and Battleship North Carolina have a historic partnership in the July 4 pyrotechnics, a show that brings more than 50,000 visitors to the downtown riverfront each year.
The fireworks cost about $30,000.
“Traditionally, the city budgets $10,000 for the fireworks, with the Battleship contributing $5,000 and the remaining $15,000 coming from a title sponsor,” the city’s communications office explained.
But the city learned in February its sponsor had withdrawn, the narrative said, leaving city staff to recruit a new one in a process ongoing.
The city says at this stage it needs to set aside some funding for purchases necessary for the celebration ahead. “If another title sponsor is not found, the $25,000 in additional funding would come from the city’s food-and-beverage concession revenue,” said the notice.
Port City Daily will report the results of Tuesday’s council meeting. Check back for updates.
Ben Brown is a news reporter at Port City Daily. Reach him at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
