POULSBO — After four years of being the title sponsor for Little Norway’s Third of July fireworks, Courtesy Auto Group has decided not to continue that tradition in 2007.

The news came as an unpleasant surprise to Third of July organizer Sandi Peterson, who took the reins from longtime organizer Mary Graves in January.

“We would like to thank Courtesy Auto for their past support, but their decision leaves a large void that must be filled by the community,” Peterson said.

Courtesy Auto Group declined comment on its decision not to sponsor this year’s event.

Last year, the Viking Avenue business contributed $14,000 to the event. It will take at least $11,000 for this year’s event to light up the skies, Peterson said.

“Right now, we have no money for fireworks. We need to have it all by April 1,” she said.

Since she was notified of the auto group’s decision in late January, Peterson said she has made a concerted effort to find another title sponsor or sponsors with little success.

More than 200 letters will be mailed out early next week asking local businesses for any support they can provide to keep the annual tradition alive, Peterson said.

“It would be great to find another title sponsor who could take it on,” said Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce board president and North Kitsap Herald publisher Donna Etchey. “If not, any contribution from $25 on up will help.”

With only 18 sponsors for last year’s event, Peterson said she is counting on more businesses to financially support the display.

Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce executive director Stuart Leidner said he is confident the annual event will continue on even without its longtime title sponsor.

“I’m sure other businesses will step up to the plate to make it happen,” Leidner said.

The event’s organizers have been and will continue working with other businesses and organizations to ensure the event continues, Leidner said.

Even though the clock is ticking on the fund-raising effort, Peterson said she can’t imagine there not being a Third of July event in Poulsbo. The evening display brings thousands of visitors to the community every July 3 and is second in popularity only to Viking Fest — the city’s biggest annual crowd pleaser.

“Many of our vendors have told us this is their favorite event,” she said. “People love the old-fashioned, small town flavor it has.”

As a veteran of the Armed Forces herself, Peterson said she hopes to carry on the patriotic legacy left by Graves.

“I am very patriotic, and I’m so excited to have this opportunity,” Peterson said.

For information on donations or sponsorships, contact Peterson at (360) 779-2121, e-mail her at sandiesplace@comcast.net or send donations to Fireworks on the Fjord, P.O. Box 1182, Poulsbo, WA 98370.