NEWBURYPORT — Yankee Homecoming is slightly shorter this year, and so may be the fireworks if some last-minute fundraising isn't secured.
Yankee Homecoming organizers need donations to make this year's nine days worth of festivities a success.
"Every year we need money for fireworks," Jason Lacroix, president of the Yankee Homecoming board, said. "Each year we plan on having a $25,000 show but spend what we make so if we don't hit our mark we cut back on the show. If we hit it, it's a spectacular show."
After the 50th Yankee Homecoming last year, there was speculation that the event would include just one weekend, rather than two, in the future. However, the 51st annual Yankee Homecoming will be shorter than past years by just one day with the elimination of one concert and the opening ceremonies pushed to Olde Fashion Sunday instead.
Lacroix said the shortening of Homecoming was not without much deliberation and careful planning.
"We examined everything going on and there was nothing on Saturday that couldn't be rearranged to fit in somewhere else," Lacroix said. "Money is tighter and tighter every year and we want to be prudent where we are spending other people's donations and give people the most bang for their buck."
Lacroix notes that while in past years there have been eight evening concerts throughout Homecoming, this year the seven will be just as good.
"Its seven instead of eight free concerts but it's seven great concerts by acts that fill fairly decent-size arenas," he said.
Though the exact monetary shortfall will be known on Wednesday when the board has one of its final planning meetings, Lacroix says he is hopeful people will step up at the last minute and donate or volunteer their time.
Last year, two last-minute substantial donations from Packaging Specialties in the industrial park and Chuck and Anne Lagasse helped the fireworks and some programming survive.
Lacroix chaired Yankee Homecoming with his parents, Judy and Lucien, last year, but this year the three are helping more with the organization and the teaching of others than being as hands on. Jason Lacroix is coordinating the fireworks, his father is serving as treasurer and his mother is helping out wherever needed.
"Yankee Homecoming really benefits everyone as a lot of other organizations do fundraising during the same time such as the Lions Club Annual Bed Race," Judy Lacroix said.
Many of the same activities will be included in Yankee Homecoming this year, but new additions include a Native American Indian Powwow at the Bartlet Mall on Sunday morning at 9:30 and a steam fire engine demonstration from the Exeter Fire Department at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
"We are hoping people stick around this year because of the economy," Judy Lacroix said. "Maybe those who usually leave town during Yankee Homecoming will stay and donate the gas money to the fireworks. It benefits everyone."
For more information on Yankee Homecoming events, visit the Web site at http://www.yankeehomecoming.com
