By Hayleigh Gowans

Staff Writer

The 40th annual Ronald A. Russell Fireworks in East Syracuse will be held Saturday, July 9, and, recently, East Syracuse Chevy presented the village with a check for $5,000 to go toward the celebration.

“We’ve had so much success in the village, so I think it’s only right to give back to the community,” said Gino Barbuto, owner of East Syracuse Chevy.

Barbuto presented the check to Mayor Robert Tackman and Parks and Recreation Director Tom Richardson on April 28 at East Syracuse Chevy.

The fireworks and community weekend is celebrated annually around the week of the Fourth of July. Since it is the 40th anniversary of the celebrations this year, Tackman said there are special events in store. Other events include a community ice cream social and a carnival style event.

“This donation is really helpful in continuing to make the fireworks the great community event that they are,” said Tackman.

Last year, Tackman presented a proclamation to the family of former mayor Ronald A. Russell Jr., who passed away in 2014, that the celebration would be known as the “Ronald A. Russell Fireworks” from now on. Russell started the tradition of Community Weekend in 1976.

To Richardson, said each year, a group of about 20 volunteers and himself help plan and put together the weekend of events.