North Reading Fundraising for Return of Independence Day Fireworks

Fundraising efforts are being made in order to help Indpendence Day fireworks return to North Reading.

The North Reading Parks and Recreation Department said the town will not be hosting a fireworks celebration in 2015 due to lack of interest in the past. The department did, however, say fundraising efforts were started to bring the fireworks back to town in 2016.

On Thursday, June 25, beginning at 5 p.m., North Reading’s first annual Food Truck Festival and touch-a-truck will take place at Ipswich River Park to help raise money for the 2016 Fourth of July fireworks.

According to the Friends of North Reading Fourth of July, the food truck festival will feature a number of vendors, including:

• Pizza Godess
• The Farm Stand
• Chicken on the Road
• Mess Haul
• Fat Belly BBQ
• Pipe Dream Cupcakes

In addition to food trucks, there will be touch-a-truck, allowing children to climb onboard and take pictures with various pieces of equipment.

According to the Friends of North Reading Fourth of July Facebook page, other features at the first annual Food Truck Festival include: face painting; ‘Tot Spot’, sponsored by Stork Ready, featuring bubbles, ball pit and water table; a dunk tank, featuring Matt Quinlan (Hood School) and other teachers from North Reading schools waiting to be dunked; a silent auction; live music and more.

Admission into the festival is $5 per carload or family or $3 per person for walk-ins. Cash only will be accepted. All donations will benefit the Fourth of July Fund for the 2016 Fireworks.

Parking at Ipswich River Park is limited. Other parking is available at the high school and middle school, both at 191 Park St., and L.D. Batchelder School, 175 Park St. A complimentary shuttle service from North Reading Transportation will be available to shuttle guests between the park and the aforementioned lots.

For more information, visit the Friends of North Reading Fourth of July Facebook page.