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U.S. NEWS A3
Monday 4 July 2016
Boston’s signature July Fourth fete faces uncertain futureÂ
Continued from front panies are weighing the David Mugar, left, founder and executive director of the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular,
marketing potential of speaks with Steve MacDonald of the production team, before a media briefing along the Charles
So he’s covering the over sponsoring a one-off event River Esplanade in Boston. Mugar is retiring after 43 years and no one has stepped up yet to fill the
$2 million production cost like a fireworks show and sponsorship and leadership void. Pop stars Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato, and country group Little
for this year’s event from his finding the costs outweigh Big Town headline Monday’s nationally Independence Day performance.
personal wealth. the benefits.
Mugar, 77, said he wants “New marketing is about (AP Photo/Bill Sikes)
to devote more time to his efficient use of money tar-
other ventures. geted at a carefully se-
“I’m disappointed but I’m lected audience,†he said.
not discouraged,†he said “But who is the firework au-
earlier this week, as he dience? Everyone and no
oversaw preparations on one. Maybe it’s so general
Boston’s waterfront espla- that it’s difficult to target
nade. “I don’t know why a specificbusiness oppor-
it’s the case that no one tunity.†Boston residents
has come forward yet. relaxing along the espla-
We’re a perfect product. nade earlier last week said
There’s no controversy they’re a little concerned
around it.†and surprised at the un-
To be sure, others are con- certainty surrounding the
tributing to this year’s pro- event’s future.
duction. “I think it would be really
The Boston Pops orchestra bad if it didn’t happen,â€
donates its performance. said Brian Harrington, 48.
Security costs largely fall “It’s so important for the
on the state and city. And city and the country. It’s
CBS is footing the bill for the just a joyous occasion.â€
telecast, including the per- Resident Fatima Green
formers’ fees. said she was optimistic it
But Boston’s struggles to will all work out before next
find a primary sponsor re- year.
flects a common chal- “The problem is that ev-
lenge facing Indepen- eryone is looking for some-
dence Day celebrations thing in return. They’re not
across the country. Other looking to do it from the
events are also dealing same generosity that he’s
with rising insurance costs had,†the 31-year old said,
and depleted city and referring to Mugar. “This is
state coffers. about celebrating the in-
In neighboring Connecti- dependence we fought so
cut, for example, the state’s hard to get.
largest Independence Day
celebration, Riverfest, was We got to keep it that
cancelled this year after way.â€
the host cities of Hartford As for Mugar, he’s open to
and East Hartford said they helping as an adviser go-
couldn’t justify their rough- ing forward but says he’s
ly $100,000 share of the trying to enjoy his last ride
costs in the face of budget at the helm.
problems being felt across “It’s nostalgic, of course.
the state. Smaller towns It’s been a long run and
and cities around the I’ve met some wonderful
United States have had to people. But I agree with
cut fireworks’ shows each the Bill Belichick philoso-
year, some even turning to phy,†Mugar said, referring
crowdfunding donations to the New England Patri-
to keep it going. ots’ famously tight-lipped
Ian Cross, who teaches coach. “We’ve got a 2016
marketing at Bentley Uni- show to put on and we’ll
versity in Waltham, Mas- start working on 2017 after-
sachusetts, suggests com- ward. Right now, we’re all
focused on 2016.†q
Trump tweet seen on supremacist siteÂ
JILL COLVIN acist website.
Associated Press Trump’s account on Satur-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Don- day tweeted the so-called
ald Trump’s tweet that fea- “meme†— then deleted
tured Hillary Clinton and it and replaced it substi-
a six-pointed star atop a tuting a circle for the star
pile of money has also ap- symbol that resembles the
peared on a white suprem- Jewish Star of David. q
