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Community Corner

Carroll County Farm Museum Gears Up for an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration

The Farm Museum fireworks, a Carroll County tradition, will kick off at 9:30 p.m. on July 4.

In spite of fears in the past that lack of funding would end the annual Fourth of July fireworks at the Farm Museum, the Kiwanis Club of Westminster remains optimistic that it will raise enough money to keep the fireworks going.

Over the years, several local service organizations have taken turns organizing the fireworks event, scheduling volunteers and raising enough money from private donations to keep alive the annual Carroll County tradition that began in 1976 during the country's bicentennial celebrations.

This year the celebration is co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, the Carroll County Times and WTTR AM 1470. Beginning at noon on Monday, the Farm Museum will be abuzz with feature artisan demonstrations, mule-drawn wagon rides, museum tours, old-fashioned games, stage entertainment, and food and crafts for sale, according to information from the Farm Museum’s website.

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The fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 4. Captain Vince Maas of the , who is helping coordinate traffic, suggests that people attending the event “plan to arrive early.” Many of the roads in the direct vicinity of the Farm Museum will be closed at 8:30 p.m., including Center Street, Gist Road, and Smith Avenue.

And after the event, “be patient, follow the planned routes, don’t try to take short cuts and follow the instructions of officials,” said Maas.  “We’ll try to get everyone out of there in 45 minutes or so.”

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Tom Welliver is the 2011 event chair. He is tasked with coordinating the fireworks that draw more than 20,000 visitors to the museum at 500 S. Center St., and the grounds of the adjacent Carroll County Agriculture Center.

“While the efforts are going well…support is still needed to assure the 35+ year tradition is carried on for years to come,” said Welliver.

“The Kiwanis Club of Westminster is proud to manage the Carroll County Fireworks show for a second year after taking over from the Bond Meadow Rotary Club who ran it so well for many years,” said Welliver.

The Rotary Club had taken over the reins of the event for about five years from the Westminster Jaycees who ran it before them, recounted Welliver.

Other changes occurred in 2003 when the launching site for the fireworks was moved from the Ag Center to the a site adjacent to Landon Burns Park after the Farm Museum teamed-up with Ag Center and Westminster Fire Department officials and determined that the site was too close to the new Shipley Arena.

Fundraising for the event has been difficult in the past. In 2003, according to various news accounts of the day, county government had to step-in and loan the Farm Museum enough money to keep it going.  The money was repaid and tradition was kept alive. 

During the economic malaise of the last several years, fundraising has not gotten any easier. However, “We are trying to shift from an urgent survival message to a methodical well-rounded fundraising effort,” said Welliver. This year’s campaign is called “Support the Fireworks.”

“If everyone continues to do their part we hopefully will never have to use the ‘Save the Fireworks Plea’ again,” said Welliver.

“We had a lot of success last year as the community rallied around the event and we had great support from local businesses, organizations, and individuals. It is our hope that calm, well-organized fundraising brings in the necessary funds in a better fashion than a panic-stricken campaign.

“The members of the neighborhoods that surround the Farm Museum were also extremely generous in their contributions and we hope they will continue their support this year.”

The total cost of the event is $25,000. “This year we have received over $7,000 in donations and pledges but feel if those who supported us last year come in again this year at similar levels and the public continues to send in their money we should reach our goal,” noted Welliver.

He said the budget this year is accounts for raining $11,000 in donations from the entire community, $3,000 in donations from the surrounding neighbors and $11,000 in parking fees at a rate of $5 per car.

But it is not just about raising money Welliver added, “The Kiwanis Club of Westminster is focused on Youth activities, and we feel this is one of the great family activities in Carroll County while celebrating patriotism and our country’s birth. Our motto is ‘Serving the Children of the World’ and this is a part of creating good wholesome family entertainment."

To keep the fireworks booming in future years, a fund has been set up with the Community Foundation of Carroll County.  If you would like to help with the fireworks, make a donation or learn more about Kiwanis, please contact Tom Welliver at 410-848-1445 or you can email him by clicking here. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to: Carroll County Fireworks Fund, 776 Winchester Drive, Westminster, MD 21157.

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