Businesses, Sponsors Save First Night Fireworks, Ice Sculpture

PORTSMOUTH, NH — Community support including a matching donation effort led to more than $15,000 being donated to save part of the abbreviated, outdoor First Night 2022 event.

In the middle of November, Pro Portsmouth issued a request for donations to offset the cost of fireworks and an ice sculpture for the event. Donations, according to Barbara Massar, the executive director of the organization, had been light. The funds were needed not only for material costs but also insurance, police, and fire, too.

A goal $15,000 by Dec. 1 was issued. And the goal, due to community support, she said, was met.

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“We saw donations across the spectrum: from businesses large and small, to families and individuals,” she said. “Some people we knew, others were new to us, but all came together to make this possible. And seeing some of the donations come in was very moving as we knew that people were giving what they could to help us create this celebration.”

A list of all the supporters was posted online.

Massar said the org would work with officials on the logistics. Fireworks will be displayed at the South Mill Pond. A tentative start time is 8 p.m. on Dec. 31. Like the past, Jeff Day and his team from Ice Designs will install an ice sculpture in front of North Church, she said.

First Night 2022 will be an outdoor event due to the coronavirus pandemic. So having an ice sculpture and fireworks were important, ending 2021 with a bang.

For more information about the event or to become a sponsor, visit the Pro Portsmouth First Night website.

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