The 2024 annual Upton Fireworks Festival took place on June 22. Photo source: Facebook @uptonpolice

 Event funded entirely by donations

By Theresa Knapp

On June 22, the Upton Men’s Club hosted its 19th annual Fireworks Festival, and Brad DiDio has been Fireworks Festival Chairman for the past 18 of those years.

DiDio says event planning often starts as early as January and involves “reaching out to all of the vendors, reserving all of the needed items such as tents, porta potties, two-way radios, sound company, band, magician, fireworks, inflatables, dumpster, etc., coordinating with the schools, police, fire, Town Selectmen, getting permits for food and tents, obtaining youth volunteers and member volunteers, seeking sponsorship to help defray the costs of the event, sending out resident mailer to all Upton residents for donations, etc.” 

He said, “There is a lot to do.”

The fireworks display itself is funded entirely by donations. Everything else, DiDio says, is funded by sponsors and the Town of Upton which has been helping defray the costs of the safety-related items such as tents, professional sound (so announcements can be heard), and two-way radios (to coordinate with police and fire). 

“Honestly, without the donations made by the residents, including mail-in, online, and those at the gate, as well as the volunteers who help run everything, this event would not be possible, so they all deserve a great deal of praise for supporting us year after year,” DiDio said. “Also, our incredible sponsors that donate as well. This year’s sponsors included, Unibank (which is our highest-level sponsor) and many others such as Dunkin Donuts, Webster First, Milford Federal, Pyrotechnico, Price Chopper, ckSmith Superior, Pulte Homes, the Glowacki Family, and Deanna Small Engine Repair.”

This year, the Army National Guard provided an artillery unit (and musical entertainment) for the event. Courtesy photo

And this year, the Upton Men’s Club coordinated with the Army National Guard recruitment office which provided the musical entertainment and the artillery unit. DiDio said, “They were also going to bring some entertainment items for the kids, but the weather prohibited them from doing so. We are trying to get them again next year.”

To help fund next year’s event, visit uptonmensclub.org.

This year, the Army National Guard provided an artillery unit (and musical entertainment) for the event. Courtesy photo