Funds sought for fireworks show

Something to look forward to every summer — or not, depending on the person — is the bangs, pops, colors and smell of gunpowder from setting off fireworks. And, each year, the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department brings a big show from the top of T Hill on the evening of Independence Day. Search and Rescue has also helped put the show on.

The shows have gotten more and more exciting over the years, but the 2017 show is in danger of heading the other direction, as funding has not been what was hoped. Forrest Coleman-Weisz, John Fish and Mark Collins with the fire department recently spoke about the funding situation, noting through fundraisers as well as generous donations from businesses they were able to get about $9,000; last year’s show had a budget of about $12,000.

Fish said they would like to have the quality shows the community has seen in the past, but the decline in funding results in a decline in quality. Coleman-Weisz said many communities are shutting down their shows due to lack of funding, and he doesn’t want to see that happen. The shows are a big draw for our community and others around us, and people coming are also buying food and fuel here, or staying at the hotels.

The firefighters further explained that, after last year’s show, government issues in China caused fireworks production to either slow or stop at the end of 2016. As a result, the distributor for the Thermopolis show had to wait until production and shipping started again. When it did, he ordered five shipping containers. However, the company shipping them went bankrupt and the shipment was cancelled.

The distributor has no new fireworks for the 2017 season, Fish said, so what he’s done is pulled his own inventory he has in stock, which is what this year’s show will consist of. He has $12,000 worth of fireworks set back for Thermopolis, which is why it’s important to meet that fundraising goal.

If each household in Thermopolis were to donate $5, the difference would be made up in no time. Those interested in donating can drop their contributions at the red mailbox at the fire hall, or at the Chamber of Commerce. Should the goal be met, Coleman-Weisz noted, any additional funds will be earmarked for the 2018 show.