For Immediate Release: Monday, June 23, 2008

Dover Fourth Of July Is Looking For A Few (More) Good Sponsors

Dover – With just a few days until the capital’s annual Independence Day celebration, the Dover Fourth of July needs a few more donations to cover the cost of the day’s events, including the evening fireworks show.

The non-profit Fourth of July Celebration Committee, Inc., needs to raise at least $2,000 more to cover the $21,000 total budget, committee president Greg Patterson said. While the city and state governments provide logistical support, the Dover Fourth of July festivities have always been paid for with private donations.

“We have more than 50 businesses, organizations and individuals that have become sponsors so far, and we are very grateful to them, but we just need a few more to get us there and make all of our plans for this year possible,” Patterson said.

Additions to the 2008 celebration include a longer fireworks show, more musical performances – nearly four hours – and more activities for children.

In recent years, a handful of generous $5,000 and $10,000 donors covered most of the cost of the Fourth of July events, but there have been no such large donors in 2008.

Businesses, organizations and individuals who’d like to become an official July 4th sponsor at the Star ($2,000), Stripe ($1,000), Red ($500), White ($200) or Blue ($100) levels can mail a donation to Fourth of July Celebration Committee, Inc., P.O. Box 475, Dover, DE 19903-0475 or can donate online at www.dover4thofjuly.com.

Families may also sponsor individual fireworks shells through the “Adopt-A-Firework” program for $17.76 each. Those donations can also be either mailed or done online.

– 30 –

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Help Support Dover’s Fourth Of July With “Adopt-A-Firework”

Dover – As part of its fundraising efforts, the Dover Fourth of July Committee is offering residents the chance to become proud parents of the 2008 fireworks show by “adopting” individual firework shells to be shot off that night.

The 2007 celebration included more musical performances and more vendors than in previous years and, for the first time, a number of children’s activities. Organizers hope to add a few more activities in 2008 as well.

“With almost four hours of music, things for kids to do on Legislative Mall, the American Legion parade, and a full day of special events and tours at the First State Heritage Park sites throughout downtown and, of course, the fireworks, the Fourth of July in Dover has evolved from an evening event to an all-day festival,” committee president Gregory Patterson said. “But we need help to make it all happen.”

Donations to the Fourth pay for the fireworks, a massive sound system, entertainment, equipment rental and other costs of staging an event for thousands of people.

Adopting a firework is $17.76 for each shell. Adopters can mail a donation to Fourth of July Celebration Committee, Inc., P.O. Box 475, Dover, DE 19903-0475 or can donate online with a credit card at www.dover4thofjuly.com.

Residents who adopt a shell will receive an official Adopt-A-Firework certificate and be listed on the Fourth website.

The Dover Fourth of July Committee is also continuing to urge area businesses and organizations to become sponsors of the event at the Star ($2,000), Stripe ($1,000), Red, ($500), White ($200) or Blue ($100) levels. Information about sponsorship is available at www.dover4thofjuly.com or by calling Brad Holden at (302) 359-1061.

Sponsors of the event are listed on the website, in newspaper advertising for the Fourth, and will be recognized during the evening’s program.

– 30 –