11 replies to this topic

[BOOBMAN]

Lack of money forces July 4 event to be downsized

With 17 days left before Fourth of July festivities, organizers said Thursday they were forced to downsize the Freedom Festival and Fireworks Show.

Freedom Festival and Fireworks Show organizers Greg Tryon, left, and Tony Rivello boost the fundraising thermometer to 75 percent Thursday. The sign is located near the intersection of Lake Havasu Avenue and North McCulloch Boulevard. Jayne Hanson/News-Herald Photo.


“We had to reduce the firework show from a $30,000 show to a $25,000 show,” said event organizer Greg Tryon. “And we had to drop Chuck E. Bumps and the stage at the festival. We will still have a flatbed trailer with E-Z Up tents and a DJ.”

Co-organizer Tony Rivello said it was a blow to the July Fourth operation that is set to launch over Lake Havasu.

“It was a hard decision made in the 11th hour (Wednesday) night, but we had to let (the pyrotechnic company) know,” Rivello said, adding with fewer pyrotechnic shells to launch, it will be a shorter show this year.

“We just didn’t get the response from the community. We are doing the best for the community that we can with the money we have raised,” Rivello said. “We have less shells and a shorter, smaller show, but it will still be a good show. The (down-scaled) show is a direct reflection of the support from the community — it is a 100-percent, privately funded show.”

The organizers collected funds from more than 50 firecracker donation tubes in business es throughout Lake Havasu City, and they have also challenged service clubs, businesses, citizens and visitors to support the event.

Rivello said the fire-cracker-donation tubes have brought in about $1,000 and efforts to target visitors at local boat launch ramps Memorial Day weekend collected about $250.

[ltr450rider]

Should still be a good show. LHC has always put on good 4th of July shows.

[SilverBullet]

from experience what is the best to do? try and float on the boat? hit up a parking lot with some chairs? try and get a spot in the channel? will be my first watching fireworks in havasu...

[ltr450rider]

If your gonna float it, be prepared for nice big rush to the ramp right after the show. Either hang in the channel until late night or be the first one out of the water.

I have always been able to watch from the back of our house. Were not right under them but still get a good view.

[SilverBullet]

dang, thanks for the input... its up in the air for now... maybe well float for like and hour or two after the show... just sounds fun to watch them from the water

[DancerTracy]

This makes me sad.

[djhartley2003]

Last year we were tied up with 4 other boats in the bay. We watched the fire works show then we BBQ'd and waited until late to take the boats off the water We pulled up anchor a went for a ride out around the island. I looked at my watch as we were pulling the boat out of the water and it was midnight. It was the best time I had in a long time.

[Nolsky]

Yeah we always drop anchor about 6-7 PM at Thompsons bay & chill out , bbq, watch the show & hang out for a while as the madness clears up. We love to chill at night on the water. It freekin Beautiful. I cant wait even if its going to be shorter its still going to be a good time.

[SilverBullet]

ok this idea is sounding better and better to me... i just might have to do it!!!

what kind of anchor you use in the bay? box?

[Nolsky]

SilverBullet said:

ok this idea is sounding better and better to me... i just might have to do it!!!

what kind of anchor you use in the bay? box?

Yes a box anchor works great out there, like DancerTracy says we got your back. & every two or three boats will have dropped anchors anyways. Good Times

[SilverBullet]

Nolsky said:

Yes a box anchor works great out there, like DancerTracy says we got your back. & every two or three boats will have dropped anchors anyways. Good Times

right on, i will keep my eyes peeled for your guys, i think my brother will be with me as well and have a boat... so there may be two of us...

[DancerTracy]

SilverBullet said:

right on, i will keep my eyes peeled for your guys, i think my brother will be with me as well and have a boat... so there may be two of us...

We sure do! Hope to see you all there this weekend. It's going to be a blast with or without the full length of the show.