Lack of money douses Elburn Day in the Park party

Make other plans for July 5, Elburn residents, because Day in the Park has been canceled.

The whole shebang - food, games, music, fireworks.

The Elburn Chamber of Commerce pulled the plug on the 12th annual party Tuesday because not enough money had been donated by individuals, or pledged by sponsors, to run it.

"It is better to not do it than to do a poor job and leave a bad taste," said Joe Fleming, chairman of the committee.

Admission to the picnic, held annually since 1997, was free. Fees were charged for parking and for teams playing in a volleyball tournament. The event was to have been held at Lions Park.

"There were too many 'what-ifs,' " Fleming said, such as what if it rains July 5, to hope enough money came in now through July 5 to pay for the party without dipping into the chamber's bank account.

Fleming said the organizers had planned to spend as little as $8,000 on fireworks this year, down from last year's $10,000 and the $15,000 it spent in 2007.

But he felt that an $8,000 show would disappoint the viewers.

And if the chamber held the picnic alone, it risked having people show up who had not heard the fireworks were canceled, and angering them.

There are no other fireworks shows set for Elburn this summer. There is, however, the Elburn Days Festival Aug. 21 to 23 in Lions Park.

Neighboring village Sugar Grove has fireworks July 25 during its Corn Boil festival.

Day in the Park sponsors who want refunds can contact the chamber of commerce at info@elburn.com or call (630) 365-2295. Money raised at a pork chop dinner in May or collected in canisters in businesses will be saved to pay for the 2010 Day in the Park.