Nahant fireworks coordinator: Late funding nothing new

NAHANT – With only five days left until the Fourth of July, Nahant does not have the funds to cover their fireworks show, leaving residents and guests without the holiday staple.But according to fireworks coordinator Jenn McCarthy, what may seem like a big blunder is typical for Nahant. McCarthy said the privately funded fireworks come close to being cancelled due to a lack of funds almost every year.”To be truthful, normally we are at this stage this late in the game,” said McCarthy on Friday. McCarthy said the fund was halfway to the $16,500 needed for the 20-minute show.McCarthy said somehow, the fireworks always happen because donations come in right under the wire the day before. “We always seem to pull it out,” said McCarthy. “The selectmen have said if we have to cancel, we’ll cancel.”McCarthy was on the causeway Friday afternoon selling the $15 fundraiser T-shirts that help the fund, but she said many will simply donate in large and smaller amounts.”I always have said, we have 1,500 households in Nahant. If every house donated $10 or $15, that would be the whole show,” said McCarthy. “Not like we’re asking people to, but if they’re going to the show, they could make a donation for it to be a successful show.”McCarthy speculated that one of the reasons the show is underfunded to the last minute every year is because it was moved about five years ago from one side of town at Short Beach to the other at Bailey’s Hill to abide by new federal regulations.”When we moved the show to Bailey’s Hill, we lost a lot of funding from that side of town,” said McCarthy. “It’s been tough. Unfortunately because of the new laws we are not going to be able to go back there, and people don’t seem to understand that.”When asked if there were any fundraising issues that could be fixed so donations aren’t so consistently late, McCarthy said, “There’s not much we can do. It’s hard to figure out. I think July sneaks up on everybody, being so busy with school and Little League.”To ensure the fireworks light up the Nahant sky on July 4 at 9:15 p.m., residents should call McCarthy at 781-592-5272 or email [email protected] or call Robyn Howard 781-581-1373. Checks for T-shirts or donations should be made out to Town of Nahant.”I just cross my fingers and hope my phone keeps ringing,” said McCarthy.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].