Community Corner
The Cost of 4th of July Fireworks (And How Davis Pays For Them)
Local businesses among fireworks celebration's supporters.
Fireworks and the Fourth of July go hand in hand, but for some California cities this tradition is being axed due to budget cuts.
Cities like Hercules have canceled their fireworks shows due to financial problems.
The City of Petaluma back in April in hopes of avoiding cancellation. They were able to raise the $22,000 needed to save the show, which cost $45,000 total.
The City of Davis's show also leans heavily on donations from sponsors.
Davis's fireworks celebration has a $20,000 price tag. The city reached this amount with plenty of support from local businesses, according to Carrie Dyer, the city’s community services supervisor. $5,000 came from the city budget’s general fund, with the rest coming from outside sources.
Sponsors for the event include , West Yost Associates, , , , , and Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Manny Carbahal, a certified public accountant at , said his company decided to sponsor the event because he believes the holiday is a special day for all Americans celebrating the birth of United States and all the national pride that goes with it.
“Our firm has always been committed to supporting and giving back to the community that supports us,” Carbahal said in an e-mail. “The City of Davis contacted us requesting sponsorship for their expanded entertainment and fireworks show and we were glad that we were able participate this year. It is especially important now, during these tough economic times, to be able to celebrate our country.”
Bobby Coyote, owner of in Davis, said Dos Coyotes started sponsoring the event in 1999, along with the Marketplace.
“It’s a safe way to see fireworks, rather than setting them off in backyards or in the streets,” he said. “Family, friends and the community get together for a great time.”
Tim Annis, the City of Davis's fire marshal, said unlike Picnic Day, this is a mild, family event. He agreed with Coyote and said it’s a good alternative to using fireworks such as state approved Safe-and-Sane foreworks, which are illegal in Davis.
“One can still experience the booms of the show at a safe distance,” Annis said.
Dennis Dingemans, the Old North Davis Neighborhood Association board’s vice chair for 2011 to 2012, said he and his family like to go each year up to the park to see the fireworks and that they’re fans of this tradition.
So while Davis is not immune to the economic woes affecting other northern California cities, the show has not been threatened by the chopping block. That's in part because Safe-and-Sane fireworks aren't an available alternative in town and also because busiensses carry 75 percent of the financial load.
Fireworks will be held at 9:30 p.m. in the Community Park located at 1405 F Street, .