Funding Irvington's Fireworks

Everyone knows that during tough economic times we're supposed to trim the fat, cut out extravagances and learn to live only with basic necessities; then how—during a year in which every extra expense was omitted from this year's budget—did the Village of Irvington have the audacity to pay for fireworks?

They didn't!

Longtime resident and local businessman Parker Reilly set out on a mission almost a year ago to raise the entire cost of this year's fireworks by seeking out local businesses and individuals he thought would rally behind the cause.

"I grew up in Irvington," Reilly said. "So I know how important the fireworks show is to people who live here. It's ironic to me that fireworks wouldn't become even more of a priority during these economic times because people should come together."

Although the July Fourth extravaganza in the village had to be scaled back this year—there will be neither food vendors nor live music—Reilly hopes to form a fund-raising committee for next year so that all the usual festivities can be restored.

"If every family in the village gave $5 dollars, we might have enough for everything just from that," Reilly said.

An active member of the community, Reilly is president of the Irvington Education Foundation and co-founder of the locally headquartered business, House Party.  A new-age marketing company, House Party throws actual parties—that's right: with wine, pastries and gift-bags—in people's homes that center around a particular product, cause or brand. 

House Party was one of the largest donors to Irvington's fireworks fund, and Reilly is excited about his innovative goal to film and live stream Irvington's fireworks into homes throughout the country,

"My idea was for it to be like the televised 'yule log' that burned on TV's throughout the nation during the 80's," Reilly said. "But the fireworks take it a step further, in that you can keep watching them throughout the weekend."

The display will be available here at 9:15 p.m. and beyond—

Which is great news to non-Irvington residents who will not be permitted to enter Matthiessen Park without an Irvington park pass.

But for the 3-4,000 people who are eligible, Reilly hopes to reignite their passions for Independence Day, togetherness and, of course, spectacular fireworks.