Marion's Fourth of July fireworks may fizzle again this year if no one steps up to raise money.

“I don't know what it is,” said Donna Hemphill of Marion Recreation. “I know that surrounding towns have had an issue. I don't know if it's just a sign of the times.”

A “last ditch” effort to save the event went out in a press release earlier this week, asking residents to volunteer for the currently defunct Marion Fireworks Committee. For the 2016 fireworks, Hemphill said she and Marion Recreation Director Jody Dickerson were the only ones who really worked on fundraising. Those efforts resulted in a mere $13,000 of the $50,000 needed, and the once annual fireworks display at Silvershell Beach was canceled.

The funds have carried over into this year, but $37,000 needs to be raised by May 15 or the show will again be a no-go.

“It covers the fireworks, the barge, police and fire department, everything right down to the port-a-potty,” said Hemphill.

Residents who want to see sparks this summer can volunteer to help and can donate to the fireworks fund.

Volunteers can contact the Marion Recreation Department at 774-217-8355 or fireworks@marionrecreation.com, and those who want to give a tax deductible gift can mail their donation to the Marion Fireworks Committee, 13 Atlantis Drive, Marion, MA 02738.

Whether or not the funds materialize for the fireworks, the Fourth of July Parade, once led by the recently disbanded VFW post, will continue.

“Even though we may not end the evening with fireworks, we will start the day with the parade,” Hemphill said. Noting it is important to keep the tradition alive and to thank the VFW members for their years of service to the town. “We're keeping on with the parade for them.”