Mayor Expresses Doubt About Future Of Fireworks Display, Seeks Donations
By Gordon Hopkins
Fairbury Mayor Kelly Davis is looking for donations for the upcoming 2026 Independence Day Fireworks display. Mayor Davis has previously said that he wants the 2026 display to be especially spectacular as it the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence.
The mayor recently posted on Facebook, “Announcing the 250 for 250 Challenge! The Fairbury Area Fireworks Committee must have the vendor paid by May 1st for the total amount of fireworks we will have for the July 3rd show in the Fairbury City Park. We are challenging others to donate $250 for our countries 250th birthday!!! We will also accept donations of any size. Checks need to be made payable to the Fairbury Area Fireworks Committee and mailed to 1321 3rd Street, Fairbury, NE 68352 or dropped off at the Fairbury Chamber Office. You can also Venmo me and I will transfer the funds. Let’s make this a show to remember!!! Thank you all, and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!”
The annual fireworks display had been sponsored by VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 3113 since 1945. However, due to changes in permit and certification requirements, the VFW was no longer able to continue. The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) is responsible for regulating explosives, including display fireworks. So, the city took over.
The fireworks display was not among those charities included in the recent Jefferson County Give vent, which raised $92,581.91 for 40 local no-profits. Davis explained, “I didn’t put the Fairbury Area Fireworks Committee in this function because I thought there were better places for people’s money.”
However, the mayor has also expressed frustration on social media. He posted, “I have been begging for donations for some time now and the people that have complained the last few years that the show hasn’t been long enough haven’t felt the urge to step up and make a donation of any kind. With this being our countries 250th year of freedom I thought people would step up more, but that is their option. We will have a show at this point about the size of last year’s, but I don’t know if there will be anymore in the future.”
