Fireworks funds drive sparking in Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD – Marblehead?s 2012 Fourth of July fireworks display is just 90 days away, and the committee is still seeking 40 percent of the amount they need to make it a reality.The letter requesting donations for the Marblehead fireworks display and harbor illumination went out with mooring applications Jan. 1.Committee Chairman Alexander Falk said last week that the committee had “a very good response” from that and from the on-going request on the committee website, www.marbleheadfireworks.com. Letters have been sent to town businesses and the committee is on Facebook as well, asking friends to share photos, send feedback, or discuss favorite spots to view the fireworks from.This year?s display will be Wednesday, July 4, at approximately 9 p.m. The Harbor Illumination will begin at 8:45 p.m. and the fireworks will follow the illumination. As the fireworks committee website used to say, “The fireworks light up the sky over Marblehead Harbor while the perimeter of the harbor is illuminated with red flares.”?We have 65 percent of the total amount we need for the display,” Falk said. He estimated the total cost at $65,000, which would make the receipts so far around $42,000. The display, which is fired off from a barge at the mouth of the harbor, is entirely supported by private donations.Residents and business owners may send their tax-deductible donations to the selectmen?s office with “Fireworks” on the memo line.Falk is a native of Austria who emigrated to the United States nine years ago. He became a citizen a year ago. Over the years he donated to the annual fireworks fund and he was also active in the Boston Yacht Club.In 2008 longtime committee member and past BYC Commander Mike Mentuck invited him to join the committee, and in 2009 selectmen named him chairman of the committee.