Upcoming Seneca Independence Day Festival

  The Seneca Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting another year to celebrate the USA and the freedom we enjoy because of brave and noble men and women.

The committee has a lot planned to keep everyone enjoying this day of celebration. There will be a morning run, parade, kid games, showcased idol contest, duck race, raffles, vendors, live music and fireworks. 

  Our hope is to continue to grow and promote this celebration year after year. This takes lots of hard work from many volunteers and the need for money.

In 2008, we had some start-up money for the celebration but decided that we would not charge to park and only take donations. That plan didn’t work as well as we liked because we didn’t have any start-up money for 2009.

What many people do not understand is that our businesses year after year donate money to have this celebration, but because of the economic times the money just isn’t available as it has been in the past. Our businesses in Seneca work hard to keep thriving in this small population and it is very commendable for them to support many things in the community as well as helping with this big annual event.

  We need your help! We have several members from the community that have volunteered their time. Many are building things and will be working the day before as well as the day of the celebration so that you can enjoy this festival. Some may not be able to do physical work but we can use your donations.

  On May 2^nd at the Chamber building, during the Annual City Wide Garage Sale, we will be giving hotdogs and such away for a donation to the Festivals Fund. We will also be selling chances for a 26” AVC Envision LCD HDTV, Nintendo Wii with game, KC Royals tickets for 2. The winner will be announced on July 4^th.  (Do not need to be present to win.)

Another way the Chamber will raise money for the Festival Fund is that we will charge $5 per car to park. This will go very smooth this year as we have the FFA and many volunteers that are working all the glitches out to make sure traffic keeps moving.

We do not want to use the money that we will make off of the parking as we will use it for 2010 start-up money.

  The Seneca Area Chamber of Commerce will have in the building window a thermometer to show what needs to be raised and where we are financially at. Currently we need around $7,000 more to reach the goal of $23,000, which is our budget. This money pays for entertainment, sound, miscellaneous items such as trophies for parade and awards for kids, advertising, fireworks, amenities and much more.

  To secure this budget and make sure the money is kept solely for our festival, the Chamber has another account that is set-aside from our general account. The Treasurer, as well as myself, tightly monitor this account. The Chamber is not in this to make a profit but to promote the city of Seneca, the businesses it makes up and to ensure an exciting time for the public. All money raised goes toward the event for the following years.

  Please join us in giving of your time and or money and then by attending the Independence Day Festival on July 4^th 2009.

For donations: call 417-776-2100 or mail the Chamber at PO BOX 332 Seneca, MO

For volunteer work: call Guy Wilkes, Festival Committee head, at 417-776-1003

   Thanks, Josh Dodson     Seneca Area Chamber of Commerce President