The two major sponsors of Riverfront in Hartford told NBC Connecticut Tuesday that they will remain with the event.
Mohegan Sun and Travelers Insurance are the two primary sponsors for the event, which the City of Hartford and the Town of East Hartford canceled on Monday, citing a lack of finances to keep the event going.
A spokesman for Travelers said the company would remain committed to the Riverfront events through the year.
Lauren Long, of Mohegan Sun, said she could see the casino partnering with the food truck event that coincides with now-canceled fireworks display as a way to continue the partnership.
"We would love to participate and carry our sponsorship regardless of whether the fireworks take place," she said.
Long did caution however, that "nothing is set in stone."
Some Hartford officials were taken by surprise that the event would be cancelled, with city and town officials saying it would cost $120,000 to put on the event with a full law enforcement presence.
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“It’s a tradition in the city and I would hate to see it go away," said Rep. Angel Arce, who represents Hartford in the General Assembly. "I know that Hartford and East Hartford are going through some financial situations and we’re talking about $120K, but I think we could have tried to find those moneys somewhere else if we would have known about it."
Andrew Jones started a GoFundMe fundraising page to try to save the event and said he was inspired by a time when he was in the hospital and looked forward to seeing the display on July 4.
"Now that the show is canceled, the first thing that came to mind were the people that were in the hospital just like me who were probably looking forward to seeing a spectacular view of the fireworks show,” he said.
Jones said he hopes people come together to raise enough money to put on fireworks in six days.
“I believe we can do it. If we can get support from the local community, if people are willing to share the cause," he said.
Rep. Arce said without the fireworks, "It’s going to be a boring fourth of July in Hartford and it’s something that the people look forward to and it’s something that we’re not going to have this year. It’s hurtful.”
