I certainly hope that the Star Spangled Fourth will be back in 2010. I hope it is in full force. And I hope it can become a permanent festival event with minimal financial backing from the city. I think that might even make for a better festival eventually.
 
As everyone within 100 miles knows, Garland did not host the Fourth this year and residents seeking a fireworks fix had to travel to other area cities. My family sat with hundreds of others here in Garland near the city limits to watch the Richardson fireworks.
 
It was mentioned during the budget hearings. I sought $40,000 seed money to be used just for fireworks and ancillary costs to help secure the festival, with the hope and expectation that sponsors could be recruited that would eliminate any hard cost money from the city. (Soft costs would be personnel time attending meetings to discuss logistics and some city personnel that would be present during the festival, especially police officers.)
 
A quote from the final paragraph in the DMN budget article posted below, says:
 

And Mayor Pro Tem Laura Cox pointed to the potential of the community-driven party hosted last July 4 on the downtown square.

 
There was such an event. A number of public-minded citizens worked hard on that party. Entertainment was recruited. But not mentioned was the fact there were more entertainers in attendance than crowds. There was a good faith effort to promote the event but few came.
 
Which is why we need seed money.
 
It is virtually impossible to go to businesses and say, "Hey, wanna be a sponsor?" The first questions will involve how much? how many people will be there? The fireworks would attract tens of thousands. That's a starting point. Without them ... there would most likely be more entertainers than crowds.
 
Enough of the Council worried that we set a bad image "approving a party" when salaries were being cut; the request did not pass. Our only way to have more budget money and to save ourselves from salary cuts is to promote the city and encourage investment. Hard to do that when the Council won't stick it's head out of the hole to see the show.
 
I'm still confident that we will have a Star Spangled Fourth! A sponsor has already agreed to support the fireworks. Basic plans are already forming.
 
Volunteers and sponsors are needed. If you or someone you know would like to get involved at any level, or just express your general support, please send me an e-mail and we'll get to work.
 
KABOOOOM! We're off to a start. It's all downhill from here.