SEDLEY—The Town of Sedley will not be putting on a Fourth of July celebration for the first time in 21 years.

Organizers cited a lack of volunteers and funding as a result of economic woes.

&uot;It’s not anyone’s fault,&uot; said Anita Felts, who is also a member of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors. &uot;We just haven’t had as many volunteers to help out, and funding has been a problem as well. With the economy the way it is, people just don’t have as much money to contribute.

&uot;Money that could go towards these types of events has to be used to pay towards such things as high gas prices.&uot;

It’s a tough time for July Fourth organizers as well. Illness and other prearranged plans have reduced the number

of members who will be able to help if a celebration were to take place.

&uot;It’s really unfortunate that we have to take a break this year,&uot; said Felts, &uot;but hopefully we’ll come back next year with a bang.&uot;

The town, which has put on Independence Day celebrations since 1987, didn’t have fireworks last year because the drought increased the chances of field fires.