Local Video
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| Expect less pop on the Fourth of July |
By: JIM HAMMERAND, Staff Writer
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Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009 11:35 pm
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NORTHFIELD — Expect fewer booms at this year’s July Fourth fireworks show, the event’s organizer said this week.
Private fundraising for the show this year is down 20 percent from last year’s $10,000 show, organizer Dan Freeman said on Wednesday.
“I’ll be honest with you, the fireworks aren’t going to be as big this year,” he said.
Revelers observing the 20 to 25 minute show, scheduled to start at dusk but no earlier than 10 p.m. Saturday, may notice the difference.
“The shots might go slower or the show might be shorter,” he said.
Freeman faults the economy for scaring off two of the 10 sponsors who have reliably donated the most to the annual aerial show in past years. He declined to name the former sponsors.
Freeman, who has taken it upon himself to solicit fireworks funds, said he was convinced by friends and other Northfielders to continue his involvement this year.
“Overwhelmingly, people said we need it more this year than ever,” he said.
But he has yet to collect on all the pledges, and said there’s still time to donate.
“I go on faith every year,” he said. “We never have all the money when we light them off.”
Local organizations have traditionally fundraised for fireworks on the Fourth. The city is donating the time of police and street department workers as well as the portable stage.
In many small and midsize cities, fireworks shows are being canceled or scaled back as municipalities’ tax revenue dries up with the slowing economy and falling home prices. Funding from corporate sponsorships also has fizzled as businesses deal with economic problems of their own.
The budget realities are forcing communities to decide, for example, whether they can pay for extra police and fire protection for a fireworks show — or perhaps pay an officer’s salary for the rest of the year. And some organizers have concerns about seeking money for a celebration as communities struggle to take care of life-or-death needs worsened by the recession.
It’s been rough for many cash-starved communities to justify traditional public firework shows, and some corporate sponsors have questioned the bang their bucks were buying.
But Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, said the Bethesda, Md.-based trade group for the fireworks industry is forecasting a slight increase in U.S. sales this year — $960 million for 2009, about $20 million more than last year, with stand sales to consumers accounting for about two-thirds of that. The figure doesn’t include sales on Indian reservations, which are overseen by individual tribes.
“People want a distraction from what’s going on in the world,” Heckman said. With a three-day weekend with the festivities smack in the middle, and the high cost of travel, “People are staying home, and that bodes very, very well for backyard fireworks sales.”
Fourth of July Schedule:
9 a.m. Ames Park flea market
10 a.m. Food vendors open
Noon Yankee Doodle Kiddie Parade, Econo Foods parking lot
Noon Yankee Doodle Kiddie Carnival, across from Post Office
1 p.m .Vintage Baseball, Old Main Field W. Second and Lincoln Street
10 p.m. Fireworks
Bridge Square Stage
1:30 p.m. NAGs Folkloric Dancers
2 p.m. Northfield Dance Academy
3 p.m. Marty Anderson and the Goods
4 p.m. Bohemian Duo
5 p.m. Ericksons
7 p.m. Patriotic readings, presentation of colors, Pledge of Allegiance
7:30 p.m. Rice County Allstars
8:30 p.m. NAGs Bye-Bye-Birdie
9 p.m. Rice County Allstars
— The Associated Press contributed to this story. Jim Hammerand covers the city. He can be reached at jhammerand@northfieldnews.com or 645-1114.
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Kudos to Dan Freeman for organizing a great town event. The fireworks show was as spectacular as usual. Our family happily contributed a little more this year when we heard the donations were down. I would encourage others to contribute even a little during the year to ensure that this tradition and wonderful fireworks show continues.
Way to go, Dan, on a job well done!