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Friends, sometimes you just need to get things off your chest, and today is one of those times for me. You are fortunate (or perhaps unfortunate, depending on how you see it) to be on the receiving end of my current unpacking.
This year's fundraising efforts for the fireworks were particularly challenging. Not only did the funds come in slowly and below the required amount within the usual timeframe, but the Chamber also faced significant criticism on social media. Many of the negative comments stemmed from a lack of understanding about how the event is organized and funded. We heard everything from accusations of misusing tax money, thinking that we were somehow a government entity, to suggestions like using parking meter money or selling hot dogs to fund the fireworks. Some of the comments were quite scathing. I vowed not to read them, but curiosity got the better of me, and read them I did.
Feeling beaten down, a bit hopeless, I sought assistance from our incredible media outlets, who allowed me to plead my case for the fireworks. Thanks to the generosity of businesses and residents who supported the event with their hard-earned dollars, the show was fully funded and set to go. Now I could relax, right? Wrong! Next came the decision of whether to postpone the show due to tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings. To say it caused apprehension and stress is an understatement, but the decision was made to postpone. I decided it was better to err on the side of caution and prioritize everyone's safety.
So, you might ask, if this process is so time-consuming and stressful, why does the Chamber continue doing it?
Here's a bit of history on how the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce became responsible for hosting and fundraising for the Independence Day Fireworks Display. Nearly two decades ago, when I joined the Chamber staff, the fireworks were funded by four major sponsors, making the event easy to organize. Over time, those sponsors found themselves unable to invest the same large sums of money, and the community fireworks were in danger of being canceled.
Believing that this event was important to the community, providing a memorable evening for our residents and reinforcing our love of country and patriotic spirit, the Chamber stepped in to save the event. Although it doesn't align directly with the Chamber's mission -- to lead, promote, represent, support, and attain economic growth and prosperity for the communities of Mifflin and Juniata Counties -- we believed it was too important to let go.
Here's how the fundraising process works: In January, the Chamber signs a contract for the summer event and pays 50% of the cost to reserve the date. We then begin a fundraising campaign in April to raise the remaining 50%, as well as the downpayment for the following January. This campaign includes a press release to the media, individual letters to previous donors, and broadcast emails to our Chamber membership of over 550 businesses, organizations, and individuals. We collect the donations, deposit them into a designated fireworks account, send proof of insurance from the fireworks company to the township, arrange for a firetruck to be on site, and inform the public of the date and time. Additionally, the Chamber is required to pay an extra amount if a rain date must be utilized, which has been the case for the last two years.
Now that I've gotten that off my chest, and hopefully cleared up some misconceptions, I feel a sense of relief. With that said, let's move on to why we traditionally celebrate our country's independence with fireworks. Our founding fathers adopted this practice early on as a display of patriotic spirit. The first fireworks display was held in Philadelphia in 1777 to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, featuring 13 rockets in honor of the 13 colonies. Since then, the tradition has continued and grown as fireworks became more readily available. Think about the words to our national anthem, "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." Francis Scott Key wrote these words as an ode to the United States after surviving a British attack, and it eventually became our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
As I was raising my children, I always looked forward to the Independence Day fireworks. We loaded up the crew and when we found the perfect viewing spot, we would lay out a blanket, set up the chairs, and eagerly wait for the show to begin. Now, I do the same thing with my grandchildren, passing that tradition along to the next generation. Fireworks and Independence Day, a tried-and-true American tradition. "The sky in my neighborhood is being painted with the colors of freedom and independence." -- Anonymous
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Rhonda S. Kelley is the executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.