“It takes some big players to fund it, and we have to really wonder if blowing up $10,000 of goods and materials is how the chamber wants to be the major supporter of the business community. We have to be creative, and the chamber will be evaluating whether or not we'll stage the fireworks show this year in light of the costs.”The 4th of July celebration is not business friendly, as most are closed for the holiday as potential customers are celebrating.Wilson-Bolton said the chamber is trying to persuade another group - one where staging such a celebration is a better fit for their vision - to take over the fireworks display.“There's a lot of competition out there,” with major fireworks displays throughout Ventura County, she noted.“The chamber will probably move away from it but we don't want to abandon it at the last minute. . .if there is a hue and cry from the community,” there are alternatives, Wilson-Bolton said.Youth groups going door to door to collect donations per household or the voluntary addition of a dollar a month - even a dollar a year would cover almost all the costs - on customers' water bills, could be the solution, she added.Either way, Wilson-Bolton said the chamber will continue to work on the issue, but wants community feedback. “Hopefully, the community will tell us in some way if the event is something people want to hold on to; there are options but it's a lot of work and money for the chamber on an event that doesn't benefit the business community.”Wilson-Bolton asked that anyone that has ideas or comment contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 525-5561.
July 4th: Community creativity & support needed to continue fireworks display
March 02, 2001
Santa Paula News
You can either take the family to Harding Park or sit on your front porch, drive onto a hillside or park near the Depot: any way you go, there's always a great view of the annual 4th of July fireworks display held in Santa Paula each year, but the show might not go on without community support.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesYou can either take the family to Harding Park or sit on your front porch, drive onto a hillside or park near the Depot: any way you go, there's always a great view of the annual 4th of July fireworks display held in Santa Paula each year, but the show might not go on without community support.The Chamber of Commerce is trying to “Get the attention of Santa Paula to support the 4th of July festivities,” said President Anne Davis, an effort to make sure the spectacular fireworks display will continue.The chamber took over the event several years ago; for many years it was staged by the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce, who gave it up to concentrate more on scholarship funding.In addition, a major sponsor of fireworks display, Pacific Beverage Company, dropped their support before the Chamber of Commerce took the event over.The first year of its sponsorship, the chamber was able to raise a considerable amount of funding through a program using donation cans on merchant counters. . .last year, donations were scarce. The Santa Paula Airport 4th of July festival, held for two years in a row, will not be staged this year.“This year the chamber is absolutely committed to living up to its mission statement to be the voice of business, and wisely determined five areas where the chamber can be that voice,” said Kay Wilson-Bolton, incoming chamber president.Public relations, promotion of tourism and special events staged specifically to aid business are included, she noted, but bearing the approximately $10,000 cost for a 4th of July fireworks show is not practical.
