Through the efforts Mayor Kristey Williams and donations from local businesses, the 2009 Fourth of July fireworks show above the Augusta City Lake is on.
A little over a week ago, this year’s show seemed doomed because no major sponsor had been found.
The community has enjoyed the bursts and bangs in the night sky since the Bicentennial year of 1976.
There has been at least one postponement due to rain.
Five hundred dollars from city permits sold to fireworks stand operators goes into the show budget. There are four stands in the community at this time. That would mean $2,000 for the holiday show from the City.
At the June 15 City Council meeting, City Manager Bill Keefer said $2,000 wouldn’t fund “much of a show.” He also said no sponsor had been found.
At that time, Mayor Williams reminded the public that a show was planned at Santa Fe Lake on July 3 or the eve of Independence Day.
The show at the City Lake has been free for the past several years, but donations are always welcome. The show at Santa Fe Lake would require at least a $5 lake permit to view it from the shore.
The group of local business which have “rescued” this year’s public show at the City Lake include:
• Emprise Bank
• Global Parts
• The Insurance Guys
• McCollom Construction
• Cooper Drugs
• Sharp Realty & Auction
• Lakepoint Nursing Center
• Go Mart
• Augusta Daily Gazette
The show annually draws hundreds of spectators from the community and the area.
Folks surrounding the lake have been known to have pre-show family cookouts in their back yards. Residents from other parts of community have “staked out” parking places around the lake’s perimeter and then returned in other vehicles the evening of The Fourth.
Augusta, Kan. —
