North Canton Jaycees Need a Co-Sponsor for the Annual Fourth of July Celebration

The Fourth of July is a time for friends and family to relax, eat some great food, and of course, watch the hypnotizing magic that lights up the sky.

Unfortunately, fireworks don't magically appear — they take a lot of planning and a lot of money.

The North Canton Jaycees have been orchestrating the North Canton fireworks for as long as Jennifer Reider, Jaycees chairwoman, can remember.

"I remember being very young, sitting on my grandma's lap, with my eyes and ears covered while the rest of my family enjoyed the fireworks display," she said. "I've come a long way since then."

"I'd have to guess that we've been putting on the display for at least 35 years," Reider said. "Definitely decades."

But this year the Jaycees may have to break this long tradition if they don't get a co-sponsor, or a combination of co-sponsors, for the event.

A co-sponsor is needed to put $5,000 toward the annual July 4 celebration, as well as sponsors to help support the costs of the entertainment, Reider said.

The Jaycees will put $5,000 toward the Celebration in the Park, which includes the fireworks, the parade and the evening entertainment in Dogwood Park.

"We need to find a co-sponsor very quickly as we have to pay 50 percent of the contract if we have to cancel the event," Reider said. "Canceling the event would be extremely disappointing and also financially draining for the chapter."

This year, after listening to the residents' comments following last year's event, the Jaycees asked for a quote from an Ohio company, American Fireworks, instead of continuing with Zambelli's, which is out of Pennsylvania. A deal was signed in advance with American Fireworks and they need to come up with the money by mid-April, Reider said.

The Jaycees get most of their funding for the fireworks from the North Canton Jaycee Fair, she said.

It has been a struggle coming up with the rest of the money since 2009.

In 2009, the city of North Canton stated it could no longer help fund the fireworks display because of budget cuts.

"That year the Jaycees funded the entire event on their own," Reider said. "Unfortunately, other events scheduled for later in the year had to be canceled because of the large cost of the event."

The Jaycees are extremely grateful to last year's co-sponsor, as well as Altercare of Ohio, Drs. Bernard and Eimer and a private donor who helped sponsor the event, she said.

Reider doesn't want to see the event get canceled this year.

"This is an important tradition because it is a family-friendly event where residents can gather, find fellowship, and enjoy food and entertainment, and also celebrate our nation's freedom with a beautiful display of fireworks," she said. "The Jaycees treasure this event as it also showcases our youngest residents by having them decorate and ride their bicycles during the morning parade."

Anyone interested in learning more about the event or becoming a co-sponsor or sponsor can visit www.northcantonjaycees.org or email Jennifer Reider at neoh71@aol.com.