July 4th fireworks officially on Waterville calendar

5/2/2012

It's official.

There will be a boom in Waterville, come Fourth of July.

Organizers announced they raised $23,014, which is enough to guarantee the city has enough money to cover the $20,000 fireworks celebration this year.

Any extra dollars will be earmarked for the July 4, 2013, celebration.

For some local residents -- including Debby Sniderhan -- reaching the $20,000-plus fund-raising mark was the culmination of months of planning.

A grass-roots group, known as the Bring Back The Boom campaign, threw several fund-raisers this year to raise money for the show. The fireworks were cut in 2010 to cut costs.

"It's been a lot of work. It's been a lot of joy," Mrs. Sniderhan said as she stood in front of Waterville City Council to announce the news last week.

The next step is for the city council to approve a resolution later this month to declare the fireworks show will take place and then approve a contract with a fireworks firm, Mrs. Sniderhan said.

The city also will work with the volunteer group to plan other activities to accompany the fireworks during the community celebration.

At the city council meeting, she thanked the public while other city officials praised the volunteers for their efforts.

"Now we can enjoy the fruits of our labor," said Councilman Barb Bruno, who was involved with the fund-raising committee.