A lack of sponsorship has left organiser Eric Croker from Sunset Fireworks with no choice but to pull the pin on the event.

For the past three months Eric has battled to secure funding from Shoalhaven City Council and has called for additional community and business support for the popular event.

But a poor response has left Eric $15,000 short of the estimated cost and he is not prepared to foot the bill for the fourth year.

He told the Times he was disappointed with the lack of support from the town and was sad to have to announce the event’s cancellation.

“It’s a devastating decision, but I can’t keep putting on the show without the financial support.

“People are happy to go along and watch the fireworks and are full of compliments, but when it comes to money, they look the other way.

“I just can’t understand why the business people aren’t jumping at the chance to support an event that brings people to town and provides world class entertainment on New Year’s Eve.

“There is quite a list of businesses in this town that do very well from this event, from food outlets to retail.

“It is disappointing when they seem to assume it is a free lunch and can’t be bothered reciprocating with financial support.”

Eric said he instigated the festival four years ago with a five-year plan to gain major sponsorship and expand it into a regional festival with bands and street entertainment.

“It hasn’t really got off the ground in the way we had hoped it would.

“We invested time and money into the event hoping it would become a major festival for Ulladulla that people would want to be part of.

“No-one else seems to be able to see the big picture or shares my enthusiasm,” he said.

Eric said in the lead up to this year’s event he had been approached by a major band who had offered to play free of charge as part of their up-coming promotional tour.