
East Dubuque Cancels Fireworks in Effort to Save Community Pool
The East Dubuque, IL sky will be darker this year in the days leading up to Fourth of July, including the day of, not out of frugality, but for the purpose of reallocating funds to save a beloved community staple that is a constant presence throughout the summer.
The Dunleith Pool in East Dubuque was at risk of closing for the entire summer 2025 season. Residents were devastated by this possibility, and they took action to assure this wouldn't be a dry summer.
READ MORE: East Dubuque Fire Department Makes Cameo on National Sports Show
As a result, there will be no fireworks in East Dubuque, IL this year. Last month, the Dunleith Park District posted on Facebook informing the public that the pool wouldn't be opening this year due to financial challenges. A town hall was assembled, but the community didn't respond with outrage and shouting matches amongst one another.
Instead, the community raised $30,000 to keep the pool open.
Dave Sendt, president of the EDGE Foundation, talked about how important, yet unexpected, that money was in keeping the pool open:
There was a local businessperson here in town that donated the other pot of the money to keep it open. That was a major contribution, because we were doing matching funds. So at that meeting, they raised the $30,000 to keep it open - President of the EDGE Foundation Dave Sendt, per KWWL
In response to the community's efforts, the EDGE Foundation, which has hosted East Dubuque's Fourth of July fireworks for the last four years, took its $15,000 fireworks budget and reallocated it to keeping Dunleith Pool open. Sendt added that the community was much more excited about the pool being open than having fireworks for the Fourth.
The City of East Dubuque pitched in by donating the water needed to fill the pool. More than 20 volunteers elected to scrub, clean, and prepare the pool to be ready for opening day, which is rapidly approaching.
The bulk of the money raised from residents, and the sum contributed by the EDGE Foundation, will cover a variety of costs, including boiler repairs, utilities, lifeguard wages, and miscellaneous operating costs for the summer.
This is yet another example of a tight-knit community coming together for the greater good of a city. Everyone heard the news that the Dunleith Pool was at risk of shuttering, and hundreds banded together to make sure that wouldn't be the case.

The Dunleith Pool is set to open for the season on Monday, June 9th. Read more about the Dunleith Pool in East Dubuque seeing another season on KWWL's website.
This Eyepopping Galena Mansion Has Four Bedrooms + Rec Room
Gallery Credit: Steve Pulaski