FOR SECOND YEAR, SPRINGFIELD WINS $10,000 GRANT FOR FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS

for more information:
Ernie Slottag 789-2235

The City of Springfield is one of ten communities that have been named recipients of the 2011 $10,000 grants from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company to help pay for its Fourth of July fireworks presentation. In May, Liberty Mutual launched Bring Back the 4th™, a contest encouraging people across America to rally together and earn funds to help continue their cities’ and towns’ official Fourth of July celebrations. This is the second year that Springfield has qualified for one of the grants.

Liberty Mutual reported that tens of thousands of Americans took their Responsible Moments in U.S. History quiz to earn credits for their local Independence Day traditions. Municipalities with the most completed quizzes were awarded grants. Bring Back the 4th grants are awarded to cities and towns in three size-based categories: small, medium, and large.

“Thanks to the input of many of our residents, the City of Springfield will be able to continue a tradition begun many, many years ago,” said Springfield Mayor J. Michael Houston. “This grant award will allow us to provide a spectacular fireworks program to help central Illinois celebrate Independence Day in fine fashion.”

The City of Springfield had already secured a smaller grant for fireworks, but combined with the Liberty Mutual grant, the City will be able to provide a wonderful program utilizing no government funds.

The City fireworks display will start at 9:30 p.m. on Monday, July 4^th. There will be family activities all day in downtown Springfield on the Fourth including a variety of music performances, including the traditional concert by the Springfield Municipal Band.

Springfield was one of three communities that won the Liberty Mutual grant in the category of large town. Joining Springfield were Durham, North Caroline and Rockford, Illinois. Medium town category winners were Bozeman, Montana; New Britain, Connecticut and Wilmington, Massachusetts. Small town winners were Brockport Village, New York; Chester, California; Dohlonega, Georgia and Springfield, Georgia.