Published: May 16, 2009 10:55 pm      

Estimated 5,000 expected to view Creek fireworks

LONACONING — Another 5,000 or so viewers are expected to watch the Georges Creek Fireworks display scheduled for July 3 at the Westmar Middle School Athletic Field, according to Mike Staup, chairman of the fireworks committee.

“We’ll have carnival rides and concessions open about 5 p.m. and the fireworks will begin after dark,” Staup said.

The $13,000 funding for this year is mostly in place, Staup said, but he expressed concern for future years if more volunteer help cannot be found.

“This is a lot for six or seven people to do,” Staup said. Additional volunteers may attend a meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. at Lonaconing Town Hall to hear a last-minute wrap of this year’s event planning and become involved in the fireworks effort for 2010.

Staup can be contacted at (301) 463-3570 or (301) 707-4220.

Fireworks Productions Inc., of Maryland Line, will produce this year’s pyrotechnic celebration.

“This isn’t just a Lonaconing event,” Staup said. “It’s for all of the Georges Creek Valley. We have been getting 5,000 or more people in attendance in recent years. We get help from a lot of communities to put this on, but we need more.”

The rain date is July 5.