To raise money for Darien's three volunteer fire departments, the Darien Firefighters Foundation is charging for parking at this year's fireworks event, which takes place at Darien High School.
The fireworks, set for Friday, June 28, is still free, says Kesti Aysseh, president of the Darien Firefighters Foundation board, but if you want to park there, it will cost you $30 as a town resident. Nonresidents will be charged $60.
"We thought parking would be a great way to raise money, as they do in New Canaan and Wilton," Aysseh said.
Tickets are on sale at Darien Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Darien residents will need to provide a photo ID and show their motor vehicle registration to show they qualify for the lower ticket price. Only checks or cash are accepted for payment.
The Darien Firefighters Foundation was started to provide support for the town's three volunteer fire departments and take some of the pressure off of fundraising for the firefighters, Aysseh said.
"These guys are flipping burgers" at fundraising events, Aysseh said, "and we want them to concentrate on being firefighters."
The fireworks show, which the foundation has revived (after the town cut back funds for it during the last recession), costs about $60,000 for the foundation, she said.
"It is the most spectacular fireworks I have seen," Aysseh said. Along with the fireworks, there's great music that everyone watching the fireworks from the high school grounds can hear, she said.
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