Lower Northeast Community Readies for Patriotic Weekend

by KYW's Michelle Durham

The recent decision by Philadelphia officials to make organizers of smaller events pay for police coverage has made planning 4th of July events like Lawncrest's annual celebration a bit tougher this year.

Steve Cartledge, chairman of the Lawncrest Fourth of July Committee, explains how tough it is:

"It's roughly $15,700 for police for the day and the night. The impact is tough. It's a tough situation here to raise an additional $15,000 for a small organization, a community-run thing, a nonprofit."

But they did raise the money, and the show and the parade and much more will go on at the Lawncrest Recreation Center tomorrow:

"There's a car show, a parade, a baby parade, a flea market where we raise the funds for the fireworks. And the fireworks. And at the end of the day we have live entertainment -- bands coming in, magicians."

Festivities start at 8am. The fireworks are at dusk.

It's the 95th year for this neighborhood festival, and Cartledge says they'll work hard to make sure there's a 96th.