The final boom will not be in jeopardy at this year’s Fort Wayne Newspapers Three Rivers Festival.

Festival officials Wednesday announced a one-year deal with National Serv-All to serve as named sponsor for the festival fireworks finale.

David Bleke, acting festival president, said he was pleased that Serv-All, which has been associated with the festival for decades, decided to provide even more support this year.

“There are a few foundational events that make the festival what it is, and the fireworks finale is certainly one of them,” he said.

No financial details were released as part of the deal. Last year, the festival raised about $25,000 for the fireworks show.

The waste-hauling company has provided recycling and waste removal at the festival for more than 25 years, but this is the first time it has become a sponsor of one of the events, according to Bob Young, Serv-All spokesman.

He said the company has seen the news stories detailing the struggles of the festival and believed it was important to help even more this year.

“For many people the festival is the fireworks,” Young said.

The festival board dismissed its executive director this year and subsequently lost several board members.

The festival has not made a profit in three years. Last year, losses reached $40,000.

Last year, the festival didn’t get a named sponsor for its fireworks show and wasn’t able to secure financing for it until about a week before the event.

Bleke said with the named sponsor, the festival fireworks will be able to go on as planned, although he added he would never turn away donations for the event.

To make the fireworks more accessible to residents, the show will be moved from the final Sunday night to the final Saturday night – July 17.

Young said his company signed a one-year agreement with the festival because of the annual nature of his business.

Serv-All, the waste hauler for Fort Wayne residents, is expected to be one of several bidders for the city’s waste contract next year.

blanka@jg.net