EVERETT — Less than a month after they began fund-raising, organizers of the July 4 fireworks display along Everett’s waterfront say they already have enough money to put on the biggest pyrotechnics show in the city’s history.
The biggest contribution by far came Monday, when the owner of the Everett AquaSox baseball team, Mark Sperandio, donated $17,500. He also gave $1,500 to a new foundation that will help fund other Fourth of July events in 2005 and $1,000 for the Everett Jaycees Fourth of July parade.
"There’s a tremendous amount of pride in Everett, and that’s why we’re doing this," Sperandio said. "The fireworks are going to be magnificent. I can’t wait."
The ad hoc committee organizing the fireworks had a $35,000 fundraising goal, but with Sperandio’s donation, it’s already at $37,500, said committee member Joel Starr, owner of The Flying Pig restaurant.
The 25-minute fireworks show will be set to rock, pop and patriotic music that will be broadcast on KRKO (1380 AM) and over loudspeakers set up at four parks. Bothell-based Orion Pyrotechnics is putting on the show.
The Everett AquaSox Thunder on the Bay on July 4 will feature more than 1,000 shells, including a finale with 30 shells exploding per second. It’s up to local businesses and residents to make it even bigger, Starr said.
"We don’t have to go to Lake Union any more," Starr said, referring to Snohomish County residents who go to Seattle for the two large fireworks displays there. "Let’s keep our boats in the bay."
The fireworks will cap a long day of activities that will include a parade, a fund-raising breakfast at The Flying Pig, the YMCA Yankee Doodle Dash and carnival-like activities before the AquaSox game at Memorial Stadium.
The new foundation will make next year’s July 4 at Memorial Stadium even bigger, Starr said. The plan is for the foundation to provide half the money for new events and activities. Money raised between now and June 1 will be split equally between funding this year’s fireworks and providing seed money for the foundation, Starr said. After June 1, money raised will go toward next year’s events.
Other major contributors to the fireworks show include The Port of Everett, Maritime Trust Co. and the North Everett Lions Club, each of which donated $5,000.
The fireworks display is more than a celebration of community spirit, said Louise Stanton-Masten, president and CEO of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce. People will buy picnic food at local stores, eat at local restaurants and perhaps spend the night in area hotels, she said.
"This is about keeping our money in Everett and Snohomish County and supporting our local businesses," she said.
Reporter David Olson:
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