The cost of putting on a Fourth of July festival got a little more affordable Thursday night for the Jim Thorpe American Legion Post 304.

By a unanimous motion, Jim Thorpe borough council voted to waive the $750 fee it normally charges the legion to hold its annual Stay At Home Festival in Memorial Park on the first Saturday in July."It's a one-time waiver in light of the legion losing some funding for their event," Council President Greg Strubinger said."We are really fortunate to have the legion and the things they do for this community."Mauch Chunk Trust Company fully sponsored the fireworks show in past years, but diverted some of that money to other funding requests in the area leaving the legion searching for every dollar it could save.Last week, Post 304 Commander Keith McQuait said the group raised almost $12,000 toward the $19,000 it is hoping to generate for the festival.Frank Sebelin spoke in favor of the event Thursday and for the second time encouraged council to waive the fee."The legion is more than just a bar," Sebelin said. "They run all kinds of events for the kids and the community."After the vote, Sebelin and other in attendance thanked council with a round of applause.Councilman John McGuire said the efforts put forth by the Legion were on full display over Memorial Day weekend."The weather wasn't the best, but these guys were out in full force at every cemetery and other places around town," McGuire said."Everyone who knows a veteran really appreciates what they do and we're happy to be able to do this for them."Jim Thorpe's police department also helps out by giving the Legion a break on the police services contract for the event.The Legion will sell $2 raffle tickets with the winner named as "grand marshal" of the fireworks show. The grand marshal will press the button to start the show.It has a concert fundraiser featuring Nightwind scheduled for June 17 at 9 p.m. at the legion.The festival is scheduled for July 1 beginning at 3 p.m.Admission is free and a fireworks show by Bixler Pyrotechnics is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.