It was a bumpy road to raising the $20,000 needed to put on the annual fireworks display in Onset, but thanks to generous community members, the show will go on this Saturday, July 6, at Onset Beach.

"Our Fireworks Committee members were working diligently to raise the necessary funds, but it was looking pretty bleak. At one point, we thought we would have to cancel and wait until next year," said Jackie Lindsey of the Onset-Wareham Fireworks Committee, which has been working on the fireworks fundraising effort since April. "We were beginning to wonder if our residents even wanted fireworks this year."

A June auction brought in a good amount of cash for the event, Lindsey said, but the committee was still left with less than a month to raise the remaining $3,000 needed.

Businesses and community members came to the rescue.

"Lo and behold, we recently received donations sponsors Linda Dexter, owner of Atlantic Home Medical Supply, along with John and Marc Salerno of Marc Anthony's Pizzeria," Lindsey said. "Then, Wareham resident John Decas, Perry's Last Stand, Onset resident Bill Scott, The Narrows Restaurant, and a few others stepped up to the plate."

The sponsors' donations, the earnings from the auction, and of course, the dollars and change left in donation cans throughout town all combined to hit the big $20,000 mark.

"Many thanks to everyone who contributed," Lindsey said. "Thank goodness we don't have to disappoint the many people who enjoy the fireworks -- especially the children."

The display, put on by New Hampshire-based Atlas Pyro, begins at dusk on Saturday. The rain date is Sunday.

"Atlas Pyro promises we will have a spectacular display for this wonderful patriotic event," Lindsey said. "Let's keep our fingers crossed that we have blue skies and sunshine, and that everyone has a great weekend."

Parking, driving, and safety

The Wareham Police Department will close the streets leading into Onset Center in the hours leading up to the fireworks display.

The Onset Pier will be closed at 6 p.m. and reserved for handicapped parking. Limited handicapped parking is also available in the designated area on the Bluffs in front of the Onset Band Shell.

Onset Center will be closed to through traffic at 7 p.m. Only residents with proper identification and/or handicapped placards will be allowed inside the Onset Center area.

Onset Center will be closed to all vehicular traffic -- including handicapped access -- beginning at 8 p.m.

"As in past fireworks events, every effort will be made to cause minimal inconvenience to residents of the area while safety measures are conducted," police said.

Police Chief Richard Stanley reminded residents and visitors that "public drinking will not be tolerated anywhere in the Town of Wareham."

Additionally, police said, it is illegal for private citizens to possess or sell fireworks in Massachusetts or to purchase them elsewhere and transport them into the state.

"Fireworks will be confiscated by police and individuals will be criminally charged according to the laws of the Commonwealth," Stanley warned.

July 4 antiques show and more

There is no shortage of events on Independence Day itself.

The Wareham Historical Society will host its annual Antiques Show and Fiddle Contest on Thursday, July 4, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 37th annual antiques show will be held rain or shine in Center Park, located on Main Street and Gibbs Avenue. The $3 admission fee includes a tour of the nearby Fearing Tavern.

The 5th annual Fiddle Contest and Cake Walk will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, Gibbs Avenue. Lunch will be available at the Fellowship Hall.

Francis McNamee of Marion Antiques will be appraising antiques from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is one appraisal for $5 or 3 appraisals for $10.

Wareham Community Television will host the Antiques by the Road Show, a live broadcast of McNamee's appraisals, from 10 a.m. to noon on Comcast channel 9 and Verizon channel 30.

There will also be an open house at WCTV, where residents can check out the studio and talk to volunteers.

Love a parade? The Swifts Beach neighborhood will host its annual July 4th parade at 11 a.m.

The parade begins at the Swifts Beach Improvement Association clubhouse at 38 Pleasant Street. Stop by to see participants dressed in patriotic costumes!

Check out WarehamVillageSoup.com for event coverage as it happens!