Fireworks on for weekend after 4th
Event donations slow
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Had last year's fireworks show been scheduled for the weekend of July 4, it might never have happened. It was not until July 11, the day before the show took place, that the town got the go-ahead for the show from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Coast Guard. This year's July 11 scheduling of the pyrotechnics may again prove fortuitous.
The later date “gives us a big advantage,” Chamber of Commerce President Sean McLean reported by email to the Town Board last week. Piping plovers on Conklin Point in Southold are the critical factor. The plovers must be fledged, as determined by Fish and Wildlife, before the U.S. Coast Guard will permit a barge launch in Shelter Island Sound. Mr. McLean said in an interview that the plovers hatched on June 1 and it would take four to six weeks for them to fledge, or be able to leave the nest on their own. The scheduled show date of July 11 gives them five weeks and five days.
Otherwise, Mr. McLean said Monday that the rest of the required permits are in place.
What is not yet in place is the funding. Mr. McLean said he was estimating $35,000 for the cost of the show, and while he reported on Monday that the Chamber's donation coffer has doubled in the past week, it is still only at $4,000. Mr. McLean said the Chamber is working on lowering the overall cost, but the expenses have gone up in recent years because of the barge rentals, number of permits and environmental concerns.
But unlike so many towns in the tri-state area that have cancelled or cut back their 4th of July fireworks shows, Shelter Island will carry on. “It's such a great event for Shelter Island,” Mr. McLean said. “It's one of those events that everyone looks forward to.”
And with good reason, he added, as this year's show should be “an even bigger and better show” than last year, the first time Bay Fireworks launched the Shelter Island fireworks show from a barge off Crescent Beach.
Mr. McLean said Bay Fireworks “has been spectacular” even though Shelter Island “is one of their smallest shows.” He added, “They give us extra special attention. They like to help us out. They love the show and the setting and the community.”
The Chamber of Commerce is looking for other people to help out as well. The Chamber will front the money for the show and continue taking donations through the night of the event. Mr. McLean said the Chamber is lucky to have so many willing donors of $1,000 or more, including Sunset Beach, the event's top donor in recent years.
“We certainly understand that the economy is not what it once was. Any little bit helps,” Mr. McLean said. “It doesn't matter what people donate as long as they get their friends to donate and everyone who comes to the show participates. Often the great weight of the show is put on the shoulders of 10 donors and that just isn't fair.”
As another way of raising money, the Chamber will set up three locations, one in the parking field at Goat Hill, and two more along Crescent Beach, at which T-shirts and glow sticks will be for sale. All proceeds after costs will go to pay for the July 11 fireworks show. The rain date for the fireworks is Sunday, July 12.
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