The Marshall County Blueberry Festival is anticipating a major fireworks display over Labor Day Weekend in Plymouth, but finding the funds will have to wait a bit longer.
Board members overseeing planning for the Blueberry Festival approached the City of Plymouth’s Common Council on Monday night to request an additional $25-thousand to be put towards the festival’s fireworks display.
Councilman Mike Delp says he has a few questions about the request to consider.
“It’s unbelievable what you guys pull off every year as a Blueberry Committee and we certainly appreciate all of that and all that is done for the non-profits,” says Delp. “From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you very much, but we need to do our due diligence and think this through a little bit.”
2016 is the 50th year the Marshall County Blueberry Festival has been hosted, coinciding with the state’s Bicentennial Celebration. This year’s theme is set to coincide with the first festival themed “Picnic in the Park.”
Plymouth Common Council members noted the quality work the Board of Directors for the festival perform each year and the revenue generated by tourism and other recognition brought to Marshall County.
Still, there was a bit of hesitation that the City of Plymouth was the only entity being asked for additional money. Mayor Mark Senter says other communities may need to have some input.
“We’ve been trying to get other towns involved as well, also on the board, and this might be a good time to get this started by asking them for money too,” says Senter.
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival still has some time before the funding needs to be secured to help pay for the added fireworks displays.
Plymouth Common Council members tabled consideration of the request until their next meeting to ensure they’re making the proper decision.
