Mayor and board to form committee, seek partners for Rutland 250th/July 4 celebration and fireworks

Mayor Eric Dungess on Aug. 18 asked aldermen to refer planning for Rutland’s forthcoming U.S. 250th (July 4, 2026) celebration to the general committee and to form a temporary commission to develop an event plan and fundraising strategy. Aldermen approved referring the concept to the general committee and agreed to appoint board members to a commission to be formed quickly.

The mayor and several speakers said the city cannot fully fund a major fireworks display and will likely combine city seed money and private fundraising. Community volunteers — including residents who spoke at the meeting and members of local organizations such as the Rotary and the Rutland Agricultural Fair — offered to help. City officials noted that professional fireworks providers should be booked early because schedules fill quickly.

Discussion: Community members volunteered seed donations (one speaker offered $1,000) and suggested coordinating with Rutland Town and the Vermont State Fair to host fireworks at the fairgrounds to leverage existing budgets and capacity. No formal budget commitment was made; aldermen agreed to refer the item to the general committee for planning and to form a commission that will report back with funding options.

Next steps: The mayor will ask the board president to assign members to the commission, begin outreach to potential partners and funders, and fast‑track planning given the time required to contract professional fireworks providers.