Our view: Clock ticks toward July Fourth fireworks

June 30, 2009; St. Cloud Times
           

The barges are in the water. award-winning Melrose Pyrotechnics is readying the charges. and Hester and Wilson parks stand (or is it sit?) ready for your lawn chairs and blankets.

Let the countdown begin - in earnest!

With a little cooperation from mother nature - and thanks to a lot of help from donors, volunteers, and local public safety and public works crews - the 62nd annual Fourth of July fireworks show is on track to light up St. Cloud's sky at 10 p.m. Saturday.

You are welcome to join the estimated 40,000 people who will line the banks of the Mississippi River to watch one of the best fireworks displays in the upper midwest.

Tom Richardson, whose volunteer efforts have earned him the unofficial title of "fireworks commissioner," says this year's show should be another top-quality event, thanks in part to Central Minnesotans whose generous donations in past years helped purchase this year's materials months ago.

"We're still counting - and taking - donations," Richardson said. "overall, we're off a bit from last year. but thanks to some of our key donors stepping up their gifts, we'll probably break even. We truly appreciate those efforts."

Also important to the show are the in-kind donations from many local businesses, individuals and organizations. (Times Media is a sponsor.)

Of special note are the efforts of the public safety and public works crews, who put in long hours before, during and after the show to help make it a success.

Those efforts, along with in-kind donations, have been critically important since the show moved from a land-based shoot to launching off barges.

"The community has really come to appreciate the water-based show," Richardson said. "I was just on the barges the other day, and the river really is a beautiful asset. you forget how much you appreciate that until you're down there."

We couldn't agree more - and hope to see you along the riverbank on Saturday night.

How you can help

checks can be made payable to Fireworks Fund and sent to St. Cloud Fireworks Fund, c/o Central Minnesota Community Foundation, 101 Seventh Ave. S, Suite 100, St. Cloud, MN 56301.

To charge a donation or make a gift to the fireworks fund, visit http://www.communitygiving.org/ and click on Donate online on the tool bar at the top of the home page.

St. Cloud Fireworks show will go on amid slow economy

By David Unze • DUNZE@stcloudtimes.com • June 30, 2009

The tidal wave of bad economic news won't douse this year's St. Cloud Fourth of July fireworks show.

The fireworks, a staple for area residents who line the Mississippi River near Hester and Wilson parks, will again launch at about 10 p.m. on Independence Day.

Organizers have waged fundraising campaigns to keep the fireworks going, and recent economic turmoil has presented more challenges.

But fireworks show organizer Tom Richardson expects the St. Cloud fireworks committee will at least break even this year.

"We know that these are tough economic times, and some supporters have had to cut back," Richardson said. "but the good news is they are continuing to support us."

Pledges and contributions to date are approaching the annual budget to put on the show, said Richardson, one of the organizers of the fireworks show that launches from barges in the river. He had hoped to get an endowment fund to a level that would cover the cost of the show without major, annual fundraising efforts.

It's possible not enough money will be raised this year to add to that fund, he said.

"We knew donations wouldn't match previous year's levels," he said. "but we're grateful. the past couple of weeks we have been getting calls from people who want to donate."

The show costs about $50,000, he said, and is the second-largest pyrotechnic display in Minnesota on the Fourth of July.

This year is the fourth straight year that the fireworks will launch from river barges, he said.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to help put on the fireworks show is asked to call 291-6108 or visit http://www.stcloudfireworks.com/.

Checks can be made payable to Fireworks Fund and sent to St. Cloud Fireworks Fund, c/o Central Minnesota Community Foundation, 101 Seventh Ave. S, Suite 100, St. Cloud, MN 56301.

To charge a donation or make a gift to the fireworks fund, visit www. communitygiving.org and click on Donate on the tool bar at the top of the home page.

Our view: Help Launch Another Big July 4 Show
Times Editorial Board • March 30, 2009

Take a look at the Mississippi River today near the Sauk Rapids bridge and you see a raging, roiling, pulsating mass of water. in many ways, it's symbolic of world events.

Now imagine what the River will look like in three months. while still mighty, quieter currents (hopefully) shouldn't stir symbolism about global strife. 
Actually, it will be home to much the opposite. In just 96 days, that portion of the River will be where you can celebrate one of America's greatest traditions - the Fourth of July.

As announced last week, one of the biggest Fireworks displays in Minnesota will commence at 10 p.m. July 4 from barges anchored between Hester and Wilson Parks.

The show marks the 62nd straight year St. Cloud will have an Independence Day Fireworks show and the fourth consecutive year it will be launched from barges. Attendance the past few years has been estimated at 40,000 and more.

This effort, which relies on private donations to light up the skies for miles around, is being overseen by the St. Cloud Fireworks Committee. Longtime Fireworks organizers Tom Richardson and Wanda Schroeder are leading the charge with help from the City of St. Cloud and a growing list of community groups and volunteers. Richardson said all major donors from last year also are on board, which in full disclosure, includes Times Media.

While so much Community involvement is good news, in keeping with a model established in 2003, the long-term financial health of the show relies largely on the generosity of Central Minnesotans. (Donations can be sent to Fireworks Fund, P.O. Box 822, St. Cloud, MN 56302.)

Please note that your donations from 2008 already have allowed organizers to lock in on reasonable prices for this year's supplies, Richardson said. That's important considering fireworks supplies worldwide dwindled last year, causing prices to increase.

In fact, it's developments like that, the struggling economy and strife worldwide that spurred organizers this year to put the focus on the fireworks display.

We see that as a good move. after all, the signature event marking America's Birthday has always involved a sky filled with red, whites, blues and many other colors. Do what you can to keep that tradition strong in Central Minnesota.