Blooming Prairie is ready for another Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration on July 3 and 4, but they need help in the volunteer and money department.

According to coordinator Becky Noble, a lot of the events cost money to put on. The committee has to pay for advertising, fireworks, street cleaning, insurance, police protection, entertainment and pay units to be in the parade.

Units that are politicians, businesses with advertising, fire departments and color guards are not paid to be in the parade.

“It all adds up,” Noble said. “We do as much as we can for what we have.”

The group started a GoFundMe page last year, which raised $720. Noble said they’ll try that again this year and hopes someone will catch on and spread the news.

They also hope to sell all of the buttons this year. Other income stems from the beer tent in the park, charging craft and food vendors and sponsorships.

Noble said there’s always a need for volunteers and there’s never enough. This year, they were lucky enough to have a group of volunteers attend a Blandin Foundation leadership program focusing on volunteerism.

“They came back excited to volunteer in this community,” Noble said. “Small towns depend on volunteers because they don’t have funds available. We’re lucky to have them.”

She added the celebration draws about 20,000 people and the weekend is usually filled with reunions and family get-together picnics.

The big draws are the near-100 unit parade and fireworks, Noble said.

“We invite everyone to come and spend the day and a half with us,” she said.

Next year is the 150th birthday of Blooming Prairie and Noble said there’s a lot of planning to do for that celebration because they want to make it a little bit bigger.

To donate to the fund visit: https://www.gofundme.com/july4bp