Whitchurch-Stouffville
May 10, 2008 11:56 PM
Town reduces grant to Strawberry Festival, but picks up tab for popular pyrotechnics
By: Hannelore Volpe
One of Stouffville’s best-attended events has been saved.
There will be fireworks for Canada Day after all at the Strawberry Festival.
The traditional Canada Day celebrations were in jeopardy. They were not listed on the Strawberry Festival website (strawberryfestival.ca) earlier this week.
The festival committee reported it couldn’t put on the fireworks since it received only $5,000 from the town during budget deliberations in January.
The committee usually receives $15,000.
At Tuesday’s Whitchurch-Stouffville council meeting, Councillor Richard Bartley made the motion to provide $10,000 to the festival committee for Canada Day celebrations.
The festival’s request of $15,000 wasn’t granted in January because it already receives around $15,000 in goods and services, as well as the annual donation, Councillor Rob Hargrave said.
The organization also has a reserve of about $65,000, and there are other events that could using funding, he said.
In the end, however, council approved having the committee put on the fireworks, keep the $5,000 it has already received and sending the bill of approximately $10,000 to the town.
The fireworks will be provided by “Pyro” Mario Vella, starting at dusk, entertainment begins at 7 p.m. and there will be a huge Canada Day cake.
Thousands of people attend the fireworks display in Memorial Park on Canada Day.
The festival runs from June 25 to 29 this year, plus the July 1 celebrations.