City Donates To Keep Fireworks Alive

By Gordon HopkinsThe City of Fairbury will be donating $7,500 toward the 2024 Fourth of July fireworks display.The annual fireworks display has been sponsored by VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 3113 since 1945. However, the VFW advised the council they are unable to continue the tradition, due to changes in permit and certification requirements. The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) is responsible for regulating explosives, including display fireworks. The Fairbury Public Works Committee met the evening of Tuesday, January 16, 2024, to discuss the possibility of using Keno funds to hire a third party contractor to put on the display.Kelly Davis, who is on both the Public Works Committee and City Council, agreed to head up a fireworks committee to examine the future of Fairbury’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display. Davis told the committee, “I got bids here across from Premier Pyrotechnics.”“A 968 shot display for $4,777.02,” said Davis. “Then the other one is a going to be a better show, a 3,609 shot display for $9,959.25.” The Public Works Committee recommended paying $7,500 toward the display, with the intention of collecting donations to make up the balance.The Fairbury City Council met later that same evening and voted to follow the recommendation of the Public Works Committee. The advantage to hiring a third party is that they would be responsible for all necessary permits, licenses and insurance. The disadvantage is that July 4 is a busy time for such contractors and, as such, the display would have to be held on another day. Premier Pyrotechnics indicated they would be available on Saturday, July 6, 2024. That would be the same weekend as the annual Shriners Flea market.The money will come from the Keno fund which currently holds approximately $130,000.After the meetings, Fairbury Mayor Spencer Brown posted on Facebook, “Tonight I am proud to say your city council voted to keep the 4th of July fireworks alive by contributing $7,500 toward a fireworks show. At this time they are projecting the display will be on Saturday, July 6th. The fireworks committee will be looking for donations to reach the $10,000 dollar mark…Thanks Fairbury City Council for understanding what this event means to the town. More to come on this..”

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