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Clifton Independence Day event runs without taxpayer funds, reports $12,467 surplus
Summary
Organizers say the July 6 Independence Day celebration at Memorial Park was self‑funded through sponsorships, vendor fees and ticket sales, producing a modest surplus to seed next year’s 250th anniversary plans; council approved RFPs to secure fireworks for next year.
City officials and volunteers told the Clifton City Council on July 15 that the July 6 Independence Day celebration at May Memorial Park and Clifton Stadium generated enough revenue to cover costs and finish with a surplus.
Councilwoman Rosemary Pino, who chaired the event committee, reported the organizers raised "a little over $59,000" in revenue (sponsorships, vendor fees and ticket sales). After expenses of roughly $46,700 — which included a $16,500 fireworks contract and about $13,800 for public‑safety staffing — the committee said it finished the event with approximately $12,467.96 to carry toward next year’s 250th‑anniversary celebration.
Pino said no city operating funds were used and that the surplus will form an initial seed for next year. The council voted unanimously to request an RFP for a fireworks provider for next year’s event; members also directed staff to issue a separate RFP for an alternate date (the council amended the motion to seek proposals for Friday, Aug. 3, if the July 4 date proved unavailable).
The committee credited volunteers, the Clifton Police Department, the Board of Education, parks and DPW crews, and dozens of local sponsors for delivering the event on a short timetable. Council members asked the committee to provide the council with the committee’s detailed spreadsheets and a breakdown of specific costs before the next meeting; staff said those spreadsheets would be shared.
Outcome: The council authorized issuing an RFP to secure fireworks for next year’s celebration and approved seeking an alternate date RFP; the committee reported a $12,467.96 surplus after covering roughly $46,700 in expenses.
