Holy pyrotechnics, fireworks fans!

The 52nd Annual Windjammer Days Festival is just a few weeks away, and word is, donations for this year's fireworks display are down. And, considering the changes that have happened with the festival, it's not surprising.

On October 30 last year, the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors announced that the chamber voted in favor of discontinuing sponsorship of the Windjammer Days Festival. Additionally, it would no longer be managing fireworks donations/collections. The chamber also announced (October 30) that it would be asking the town of Boothbay Harbor to take it over.

The Friends of Windjammer Days, a group of volunteers made up of many long-time festival volunteers, took over on December 17. The group is currently waiting for its 501c3 nonprofit status. At the group’s May 13 meeting, board member Dianne Gimbel informed said word had been received from the IRS and that they could expect an answer on nonprofit status with 90 days.

Bottom lines: The Friends of Windjammer Days is the nonprofit formed to take over the Windjammer Days Festival in its 52nd year; the town of Boothbay Harbor is collecting fireworks donations, but the Friends are responsible for fundraising.

Boothbay Harbor Town Manager Tom Woodin said in a phone conversation June 9 that the town has set up a separate account, “Community Fireworks,” for fireworks donations. Checks or money orders should be made payable to: Town of Boothbay Harbor with “Community Fireworks” written on the memo line.

“I have already contacted the pyrotechnics company and lined up the dates and the barge for both display dates,” Woodin said.

Woodin added that until last week, not many donations had been received.

“We really started seeing them last week,” he said. “Until then I was getting a little nervous.”

The total amount needed for both the Windjammer Days (June 25) and Fourth of July (July 4, rain date July 5) displays is $20,000. The Friends must collect what is not generously donated by the towns on our peninsula, as approved by voters: Boothbay Harbor and Boothbay allocate $3,000 each for fireworks. The town of Southport contributes $1,000.

That leaves $13,000 to be raised by donations. In addition to mailing monetary donations, donation cans have been placed in local businesses, so look for them. Some are covered in images of exploding fireworks, others are white.

To date they can be found in The Smiling Cow, Gimbel's Country Store, The Indian Trading Post, Sherman's Book & Stationery, Irving, Downeast Ice Cream, T&D Variety and Orne's Candy Store.

There is still time for businesses to hold fireworks fundraising events. In the past they have been held at McSeagull's and Lobsterman's Wharf. Contact Dianne Gimbel at 207-504-0242 to schedule one.

Time is of the essence; Woodin must order the fireworks for both displays on Monday, June 23.

As the fireworks lovin' community we are, let's work together quickly to make sure the region's two annual displays dazzle, not fizzle.

For up to date news on the 52nd festival, visit the new, official website for Windjammer Days at www.windjammerdays.org.