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Martinsville Speedway representatives (left to right)
Mike Smith, Director Public Relations,
Clay Campbell, president,
Karen Parker, Director Business Development.
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A news conference was held today at the Martinsville Speedway Media Center, announcing that the annual 4th of July Celebration for 2008 is at risk of not taking place.
The event is in need of funding, and is looking for some additional sponsors to help cover the cost of this very popular event for the community.
The event grew out of the annual 4th of July fireworks display and celebration put on by the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department held at the Henry County Administration Building.
In 1999, Hooker Furniture Company and Stanley Furniture Company were both celebrating their 75th anniversaries and were looking for a way to make it a community celebration. They joined with the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department to make the event bigger, moved the show to Martinsville Speedway and brought in big time entertainment, Confederate Railroad.
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After the success of the 1999 event, Martinsville Speedway President clay Campbell thought the event too beneficial for the community to let it die and went about obtaining local sponsorship for the event. The Henry County Parks and Recreation Department ran the 2000 event, with Montgomery Gentry as the feature entertainment.
Martinsville Speedway offered to take over scheduling and staffing after the 2000 event, beginning with Celebration 2001, featuring Charlie Daniels. The event has continued to grow both in terms of crowds and bands. Since 2001, the entertainment in chronological order has been: Aaron Tippin, Tracy Byrd, Rick Pony, Trace Atkins, Blake Shelton, and Diamond Rio.
The 4h of July Celebration has been held free of charge to the entire community, enabling entire families to enjoy the event together without the burdon of cost. For this community event to happen this year, additional sponsorship is needed very soon so that the rides and entertainment can be scheduled in time.
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