Save Harrisburg's Fireworks Celebration

On the June 26th, I found out that Harrisburg would not have a fireworks display this year. I was told that the city had done this for years, with much help from the Town & Country Lions Club. People came from every adjacent town and rural community to enjoy the hospitality and excitement in Harrisburg. Unfortunately, this year they would not be able to fund the fireworks and we would have to go without.

I can’t say that I’ve had the privilege to enjoy the Harrisburg fireworks. My family and I just made Harrisburg our home not nine months ago. While I did grow up in Southern Illinois, I spent the last 20 years traveling the world as a Paratrooper in the US Army. I’ve been to some great places, and some not so great places. My travels abroad made me appreciate that fact that I was an American, and we have the freedoms and liberties that others only dream about.

This is America! Harrisburg is small town America, and just like every other small town across the country, should celebrate our Independence Day! While fireworks don’t make the day, they have been a part of our celebrations since we took our independence. In a July 3, 1776 letter to his wife, John Adams declared that the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be a "great anniversary Festival" and "solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." (USNews.com)

Illuminations from one end of this continent to the other! We’re right here in the middle of America!

From this Time forward forever more! Not until 2014, forever more!

We shouldn’t have to travel to other towns or cities to enjoy what our founding fathers intended! Every member of this community deserves to be able to enjoy what so many fought for, and continue fighting for. Freedom! This isn’t just about bright lights and loud explosions. This is about Freedom! Lighting up the night sky, and letting our patriotism envelope all of Saline County!

We can do this together, united as an American Community! Are you with me?

The easy stuff has been taken care of, we need your help to make it happen. Sky Magic Pyrotechnics out of Indiana has agreed to put on a phenomenal display for us, but unfortunately it has to be done on Saturday, the 5th of July. We are only a week out, so finding 4th of July available pyrotechnic specialists wasn't easy. 

Let' Go!