By Andrea Calcagno
July 2, 2009
MEDFORD, Ore. - Eagle Point, Ashland and other Southern Oregon cities who are feeling the impact of a sour economy are working hard to raise the required funds for fireworks shows this weekend.
In Eagle Point, donations and sponsorship for the annual fireworks show are down.
"We have people from all over the valley who traditionally have donated. And we have found this year that we've gotten a lot of people say, 'we just can't do it our finances are so bad right now'," Lincoln said.
Through the years, Eagle Point has put together a reserve account for the fireworks show. This year they are having to use all of it to maintain their contract with the fireworks company.
"It costs us $7,000 just for the fireworks show itself, and that's money that we try to accumulate through individual and business sponsorship. And we only got about half of it this year," said Bunny Lincoln, Committee Head of Eagle Point 4th of July.
Meanwhile, the Ashland Chamber of Commerce is holding its fireworks show at Southern Oregon University's football stadium. Even though their fireworks budget is half what it was last year, the show will still be about 20 minutes long.
"With 4th of July celebrations being canceled all throughout the country, we are so glad we took the time to say we're going to be consciously optimistic. We are going to believe in taking the risk of making this happen, and its coming to fruition," said Kathrine Flanagan, with the Ashland Chamber of Commerce.
Medford's Red, White and Boom show raised just enough money to go forward.
"Businesses get lots of requests, and a lot of them have to cut back. And we're fortunate that we still received a sufficient amount of funding to continue with the show," said Gary Miller, Red, White and Boom Co-Chair.
Next year organizers are hoping for a change.
"We've committed to putting an equal show on the next two years with the fireworks company and its going to be a nail biter," Lincoln said.
Medford, Eagle Point, Ashland, and Grants Pass will each hold their fireworks show on the night of the fourth. For a complete list of 4th of July events click here.
