Mayor Mitchell Announces Sponsor for Independence Day Fireworks Display

NEW BEDFORD- Mayor Jon Mitchell announced that Hawthorn Medical Associates will sponsor the Fourth of July Fireworks Display this year.

Kathy Murray of Hawthorn Medical presented a $10,000 check to Mayor Mitchell and City and Tourism Marketing Director Dagny Ashley to fund the Independence Day event. Murray, who was attending on behalf of Hawthorn Medical’s CEO James Gularek, explained why Hawthorn Medical chooses to sponsor events and donate money to the City of New Bedford.

“Hawthorn Medical strives to be a good community partner. In addition to providing quality healthcare to thousands of patients in the Greater New Bedford Area, we also support a fairly large number of community non-profits” Murray said.

Mayor Jon Mitchell also addressed the opening of new venues in the downtown area as a place to visit on Independence Day.

“What’s a little bit different about this year is the sheer number of places you can go in the downtown [area]. We have seen, of course, the opening of many restaurants over the last year, many bars,” the mayor explained.

“They will be active before, during, and after the fireworks” he said.

In addition to Hawthorn Medical, the Mayor recognized the supporting sponsors of the event. St. Anne’s Credit Union and The New Bedford Whaling Museum are supporting sponsors of the 2017 Fireworks Display, while Tucker Roy Marine Towing & Salvage alongside AGM Marine Contractors will once again provide the barge the fireworks will be launched from.

The State Pier will be closed for the entirety of the display. In addition, parking will not be permitted on the lower portion of Union Street, stretching from Water Street to Route 18, says City and Tourism Marketing Director Dagny Ashley.

Free parking will be available for the fireworks display at the parking garages located on Elm Street and at the Zeiterion Theater. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:00 PM at the central waterfront area.