POULSBO — Almost like clockwork this time of year, Mary Graves goes out soliciting sponsors for the annual Third of July festivities and hears the same rumor.

“Is it true there’s no 3rd of July this year?”

The answer, Graves said, is no.

“I just want people to know we’re going to have a 3rd of July,” Community Event Productions founder Graves said. “Come the day when the 3rd of July is not going to happen, I will make it very well known. But until that day, this community should rest at ease that we’ll have it.”

Though Graves said she’s learned how to financially plan to ensure Poulsbo gets its Independence Day booms, this year’s financial support is still lagging. Last year’s 3rd of July was a challenge when hundreds of people mistook the announcement that Viking Fest’s fireworks were cancelled as meaning the July event was also nixed. This year, Graves said some contributors to the Viking Fest fireworks incorrectly believed they were contributing to both Viking Fest and the 3rd of July.

The two local fireworks shows are run by separate entities.

But the good news is the show will go on. The 3rd of July festival will kick off with live music at 11 a.m. July 3 at Kvelstad Pavilion. The remainder of the festival opens at noon. The event will feature the traditional eating contests from Dairy Queen Ice Cream and Domino’s Pizza and the watermelon seed spitting contest sponsored by Albertsons. Live entertainment will be featured throughout the day, including the return of the Marine Silent Drill Team, which was absent last year due to national security concerns.

“And it’s on a Saturday, so we’re expecting some large crowds,” Graves said. “And we’re expecting good weather — we’ve already put in our order.”

The July 3 fireworks will begin at dusk, around 10:30 p.m.

Though this year’s fireworks have already been purchased, Graves said there are still some small sponsorship opportunities available for the event. Graves said she also has some ideas that she’d like to implement for next year’s 3rd of July celebration. She’s already seeking sponsor money to fund the 2005 additions.

But donations to Little Norway’s Independence Day event aren’t just limited to businesses. Individuals, families and even civic organizations wanting to lend a hand are appreciated.

“We’ll take anything. We’ll take $10,” Graves said. “Why not spend your firework money at the donation jar at the 3rd of July information booth and watch our show instead? It’s a lot safer and it’s bigger than anything you could buy.”