Letter to the Editor: 4th of July Fireworks in Gardner
Posted on Jun. 28th, 2010
To some, the 4th of July serves as an opportunity to gather with friends, share laughs and make new memories around a barbecue grill and a cooler. To others, it is an opportunity to reflect back on the many sacrifices men, women and children made to establish a new country, born from the rights and freedoms we still enjoy today. However you choose to celebrate the 4th of July, everyone must agree that this date serves as the single most important moment in the history of our country, and should be filled with a sense of pride, honor and a willingness to unite as a community to celebrate our country’s independence.
To that end, for the past several years, our entire community; including residents, businesses, and our city government, have provided resources necessary to host a free community fireworks event on the evening of the 4th of July. Funding for this community event has come from multiple sources over the years. In the past, and again this year, the city of Gardner, through the Parks & Recreation Department, has allocated $3,000 in support of the fireworks display. The remaining money needed to host a quality event, traditionally an additional $2,000-$3,000, has come from our local businesses and individuals within our community. The quality of the fireworks display is solely dependent upon the amount of money our community raises. Pocket change or crisp new dollar bills, “The bigger the Bucks, the bigger the Bangs”. Donations can be made to the Gardner Area Chamber of Commerce, 109 E. Main St., Patriots Bank, 104 E. Main St., or please consider making a small donation upon arriving that evening. I hope this is the only time you are excited to see your donations and investment go up in flames!
For the 2010 July 4th event, activities will begin at 7:30 in the high school parking lot with the Shawnee Concert Band playing near the Northeast corner of the High School Stadium, followed with a formal flag presentation from the local American Legion and VFW Color Guards, the singing of the National Anthem, and finally fireworks beginning at dark synchronized to music. For the first time ever, for a special $1.00 donation in support the fireworks display, you will have an opportunity to be selected to ignite and launch (through remote control) the first fireworks display of the evening. Donations and entry forms will be available the night of the event, or contact the Chamber office for details.
A special thank you to the City of Gardner, USD #231, Gardner Department of Public Safety, Patriots Bank, and everyone who has donated time and money to ensure a successful and wonderful experience for our entire community.
Steve Devore
President
Gardner Area Chamber of Commerce
913.856.6464
E-mail >>>
Printable Page >>>
RSS >>>
Comments
Add Comment | Report inappropriate comments.Order By: Oldest First | Newest First
GayLynn Allen wrote on 7/5/2010 9:37 am
I agree LKR, if we can fix the problem we had this year we at Gracie Allen Center would be happy to assist with preshow activities.
LKR wrote on 6/29/2010 7:58 am
I would like to see more entertainment before the fireworks. I think we should use our own High School band, rather than a band from another town. There needs to be a program More like what the Gardner Jaycees and Jaynes use to do. We no longer have that orgnaization but we have other organizations. The Community Theatre has been having Camps for kids this summer at the Grange Hall on the fair grounds. I would like to see some of that talent
Report inappropriate comments.