By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

STERLING HEIGHTS — On July 4, the skies over Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights — usually alight with glittering fireworks — will be uncharacteristically dark.

Dino Bucci, president of the Macomb County Parks and Recreation Commission, said the popular Independence Day fireworks event will not take place this year due to a lack of funding.

Park Administrator Anthony Casasanta said the fireworks have been funded solely through sponsorships for as long as he’s been involved with the event, which has been 18 years.

Bucci said the Parks and Recreation Commission attempted to secure sponsorships to maintain the event this year, but was unsuccessful.

“We tried to solicit contributors to sponsor the fireworks this year, but based on economic times, they were few and far between,” he said.

There was a spark of hope earlier this year, when Hillside Productions mentioned it might assist in locating sponsors, but that fell through following the resolution of the federal lawsuit between Hillside and Macomb County, added Bucci.

Last year, when the fireworks were on the brink of cancellation, DaimlerChrysler stepped in at the 11th hour with a $10,000 donation that allowed the show to go on as planned.

“We also tried to contact the Chrysler Corporation, the individual who was in charge last year, but apparently because of budget cuts, it wasn’t in their forecast this year,” said Bucci.

Years ago, when times were still good for most companies, they were more amenable to contributing funding; now, everyone is similarly strapped for cash, said Bucci.

The county typically budgeted $10,000 to $15,000 to contract well-known fireworks company Zambelli for the pyrotechnics show, he said.

He estimated that more than 10,000 people turned out for the event each year.

Sterling Heights resident Johnny Leonard said he was disappointed to hear that the fireworks had been cancelled.

With Freedom Hill’s show, “it seems like you’ve got a better view, and it’s not real congested,” he said. “It’s mainly families together; people all over the area just get together and (are) waiting for the fireworks.”

Leonard moved to Sterling about two years ago, but came up to the area prior to that just to see the display. In recent years, he and his grandchildren had walked to Plumbrook Golf Course to stake out a good spot to watch, he said.

Bucci said the Parks and Rec Commission will continue efforts to resurrect the popular event for 2009.

This year’s cancellation, he said, “is an unfortunate thing because, quite honestly, it’s a great event for individuals old, young and in between. So we’re kind of disappointed, but we look forward to hopefully next year.”

Bucci said Parks and Rec commissioners have committed to “aggressively” pursue sponsorships this fall — earlier than usual — in an attempt to secure funding before companies allocate their money for 2009.

The annual Family Picnic at Freedom Hill, sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 and Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 4, will go on as usual July 4.

The event runs 11 a.m.-9 p.m., with a motorcycle ride to the park from American Legion Post 4 in Mount Clemens at noon and “Welcome Home” festivities honoring veterans at 1 p.m. Parking for that event is $5, or free for veterans with identification.

For more information on the picnic, call (586) 776-9810.

Staff Writer Terry Oparka contributed to this report.