Imperial Beach Fireworks Fund 2017
Donation protected
2015....
The residents of Imperial Beach did such an amazing job in 2014 raising the money needed to Bring Back The Boom! We are currently working on the 2015 fundraising campaign...stay posted!
2014....
In Imperial Beach, fireworks on the 4th of July is a time honored tradition. It is community events such as this that have built the ties and bonds we share with our friends and neighbors. The 4th of July Fireworks show is part of the fabric that is Imperial Beach and helps foster community pride. Not having a fireworks celebration will send a poor message to our local businesses. Businesses that depend on events such as this to financially carry them through the off-season. More importantly, by not having 4th of July Fireworks we risk losing a integral piece of IB’s identity.
Please help us raise $11,000 more, to bring back 4th of July Fireworks to Imperial Beach
I.B. WORKING TO BRING BACK FIREWORKS
By Allison Sampite-Montecalvo5:09 A.M.MAY 29, 2014 U-T
IMPERIAL BEACH — As long as money keeps rolling in, the city of Imperial Beach will have its own fireworks show this year for the first time in more than three decades, says resident Tim O’Neal.
The attempt is thanks to a joint effort by city staff, the Port of San Diego and community members to work out details on a tight deadline.
Council members voted May 21 to support the community in its quest for fireworks, splitting the event cost 50/50.
Earlier this year, the city tried to get an application in with the port to participate in the Big Bay Boom Fourth of July fireworks event as it had in years past, but was too late to be included.
But the show must go on.
Residents Candy Unger and Tim O’Neal knew the only option was to rally the troops. They worked with city staff, volunteers and a private company.
“Right now where we stand, we have enough money to cover the first payment for the producer,” Unger said.
The couple began fundraising about three weeks ago and as of May 21 had raised about $12,500, donated from Imperial Beach families.
“This city goes nuts over fireworks,” O’Neal said. “When given the opportunity we’re going to perform.”
Mayor Jim Janney said that jumping at the opportunity as quickly as they did made all the difference.
“I think personally they have done a fantastic job of getting out there and showing that the community really wants these fireworks,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence that they are going to hit the numbers necessary.”
The pair volunteered to get the cost of the fireworks display covered and organize a fundraising campaign if the city would be willing to provide funding for necessary municipal and ancillary services.
The goal for donations is $25,000, with the city paying the cost of public safety, public works, permits and other administrative costs, totaling about $10,000, and additional services from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department of about $15,000.
In all, it’s estimated that a fireworks display would cost about $50,000.
The show is anticipated to last roughly 18 to 20 minutes, the same length as the Big Bay Boom show. It will be held at the pier.
Fireworks were originally shot from the city’s shoreline in 1979. During that time the Imperial Beach Whale & Sunset Watchers Society used a thermometer to mark donations. O’Neal’s grandfather George Wright is one of the society’s founding members.
Leading up to July 4, Unger and O’Neal are forming street teams that will hit the pavement with 60 donations cans.
“These are groups that are going to go into the neighborhoods, knock on doors and ask for money…” Unger said. “We’re not asking the residents to donate big money. We’re just asking for what they can give — even pocket change. It all adds up in the end.”
Unger said they are committed to fundraising every year so that in the future they don’t have to lean on the city for help.
“We’ll raise money until the very last day,” she said. “Even if we hit our mark we still want to continue fundraising. It’s very important to us that we activate our community — that we let this be the community’s event. We want the community to take ownership in it and take pride in it.”
Councilwoman Lorie Bragg said the cans are the key to this funding stream.
“People in the community want fireworks and I think that we’ll find that these cans will shake, rattle and roll with money,” she said.
The residents of Imperial Beach did such an amazing job in 2014 raising the money needed to Bring Back The Boom! We are currently working on the 2015 fundraising campaign...stay posted!
2014....
In Imperial Beach, fireworks on the 4th of July is a time honored tradition. It is community events such as this that have built the ties and bonds we share with our friends and neighbors. The 4th of July Fireworks show is part of the fabric that is Imperial Beach and helps foster community pride. Not having a fireworks celebration will send a poor message to our local businesses. Businesses that depend on events such as this to financially carry them through the off-season. More importantly, by not having 4th of July Fireworks we risk losing a integral piece of IB’s identity.
Please help us raise $11,000 more, to bring back 4th of July Fireworks to Imperial Beach
I.B. WORKING TO BRING BACK FIREWORKS
By Allison Sampite-Montecalvo5:09 A.M.MAY 29, 2014 U-T
IMPERIAL BEACH — As long as money keeps rolling in, the city of Imperial Beach will have its own fireworks show this year for the first time in more than three decades, says resident Tim O’Neal.
The attempt is thanks to a joint effort by city staff, the Port of San Diego and community members to work out details on a tight deadline.
Council members voted May 21 to support the community in its quest for fireworks, splitting the event cost 50/50.
Earlier this year, the city tried to get an application in with the port to participate in the Big Bay Boom Fourth of July fireworks event as it had in years past, but was too late to be included.
But the show must go on.
Residents Candy Unger and Tim O’Neal knew the only option was to rally the troops. They worked with city staff, volunteers and a private company.
“Right now where we stand, we have enough money to cover the first payment for the producer,” Unger said.
The couple began fundraising about three weeks ago and as of May 21 had raised about $12,500, donated from Imperial Beach families.
“This city goes nuts over fireworks,” O’Neal said. “When given the opportunity we’re going to perform.”
Mayor Jim Janney said that jumping at the opportunity as quickly as they did made all the difference.
“I think personally they have done a fantastic job of getting out there and showing that the community really wants these fireworks,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence that they are going to hit the numbers necessary.”
The pair volunteered to get the cost of the fireworks display covered and organize a fundraising campaign if the city would be willing to provide funding for necessary municipal and ancillary services.
The goal for donations is $25,000, with the city paying the cost of public safety, public works, permits and other administrative costs, totaling about $10,000, and additional services from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department of about $15,000.
In all, it’s estimated that a fireworks display would cost about $50,000.
The show is anticipated to last roughly 18 to 20 minutes, the same length as the Big Bay Boom show. It will be held at the pier.
Fireworks were originally shot from the city’s shoreline in 1979. During that time the Imperial Beach Whale & Sunset Watchers Society used a thermometer to mark donations. O’Neal’s grandfather George Wright is one of the society’s founding members.
Leading up to July 4, Unger and O’Neal are forming street teams that will hit the pavement with 60 donations cans.
“These are groups that are going to go into the neighborhoods, knock on doors and ask for money…” Unger said. “We’re not asking the residents to donate big money. We’re just asking for what they can give — even pocket change. It all adds up in the end.”
Unger said they are committed to fundraising every year so that in the future they don’t have to lean on the city for help.
“We’ll raise money until the very last day,” she said. “Even if we hit our mark we still want to continue fundraising. It’s very important to us that we activate our community — that we let this be the community’s event. We want the community to take ownership in it and take pride in it.”
Councilwoman Lorie Bragg said the cans are the key to this funding stream.
“People in the community want fireworks and I think that we’ll find that these cans will shake, rattle and roll with money,” she said.
Organizer
Candy Unger
Organizer
Imperial Beach, CA
