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Idol fever hits Abington
By Mikaela Slaney
Thu Apr 12, 2007, 03:09 PM EDT
Abington’s Night Before the Fourth Committee was to kick off a three-week Abington Idol contest Thursday evening (April 12) to find a singing guru worthy of performing the National Anthem at the town’s annual July 3rd celebration.
Interested residents are invited to compete in the next round at Kam’s Garden Restaurant in Abington on Thursday, April 19, beginning at 9 p.m. The competition is to conclude at Kam’s on the evening of April 26.
Runner-up prizes of various gift certificates and sports memorabilia will be awarded to participants, who must be at least 21 years of age to enter.
Entry fees for the contest are $10, with all proceeds going to Abington’s July 3rd fireworks.
The idol contest was the brainchild of the Night Before the Fourth committee. This is the first year the idol fundraiser will take place.
“We’re hoping that this will become an annual tradition,” said Shannon O’Neill, a member of the committee. “It’s the first time we’ve done something like this. It’s come up because of the popularity of the show. Feedback so far has been positive.”
The committee needs to raise $14,000 to hold this year’s fireworks extravaganza, and according to O’Neill, they’re “not even partially there.”
The committee is trying to draw attention to the fireworks, and remind residents the event is a community-based family event that’s worthy of people’s support, she said.
“It’s something that residents look forward to every year,” O’Neill said.
The fireworks were cancelled in the summer of 2005 due to lack of funding, she said, and they are trying to prevent that situation from reoccurring in 2007.
“We are trying to be more proactive this year in our fundraising so that there aren’t any last minute decisions, and it won’t be a shock to the community,” she said. “We’re trying to remind everyone that this is a community-funded event.”
Entry forms are available at Kam’s Garden or by contacting Shannon O’Neill at 781-826-8284, or by emailing eireriver55@hotmail.com.
People who wish to send donations may contact chairman Bob Baker of the Night Before the Fourth Committee at (781) 857-2996.
