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Pioneer Days deficit

Negaunee festival organizers fear shortfall

NEGAUNEE — To Negaunee residents, Pioneer Days comes after the Fourth of July, just as surely as summer follows spring, but festival organizers are concerned that financing for the 39th annual event may fall short.

The weeklong celebration of “all things Negaunee” is organized by the Negaunee Irontown Association. The volunteer organization works all year long to raise money for events such as an alumni softball tournament; a parade; a community picnic; the Pioneer Princess pageant; and, of course, the fireworks. The events bring hundreds, if not thousands of visitors to the Iron City every year, organizers say.

Those visitors then visit local businesses and participate in dozens of other community sponsored events througout the Pioneer Days week.

Irontown Association President Ann Ducoli said each event the organization sponsors has a price tag, and the cost to put on all the events is in the tens of thousands of dollars.

“I really don’t think that people realize how much this all costs,” Ducoli said. “Approximatly $35,000 to $40,000 is needed each year. To date, I believe we have received approximately $13,000.”

At $12,000 to $15,000 per year, the fireworks are the most expensive part of the week’s festivities, and you have to add $800 onto that pricetag for the barge on which they are kept and set off. The price tag for the Alumni Softball Tournament is $3,150; the community picnic costs $2,200; the Pioneer Princess pageant costs $700 and the parade costs another $700. All that gets added to the $9,000 in administrative costs associated with the festival, which include printing, postage, liability insurance, an accountant, fees to maintain non-profit status and sponsorship cards just to name a few.

Individual memberships and business sponsorships are the primary source of funding for the festival, which is also bolstered by the sale of $30 supporter cards which entitle the bearer to discounts at local businesses and “Firecrackers” which can be purchased and proudly displayed on the walls of downtown businesses.

Due to the shortfall, Ducoli said the opportunities to become a business sponsor for the festival are still available even though the May 25 deadline has passed.

“Irontown thanks all of our sponsors and supporters,” Ducoli said. “Without them we could not make Pioneer Days such a success every year.”

Anyone wishing to become a business sponsor or a supporter, make a donation, buy a supporter card or just find out more information about the festivities can visit the Negaunee Irontown Association on Facebook or the website at www.negaunee irontown.org.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.

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