Funds are Tight, but Sturtevant Fireworks Will Still Pop in July

“I like when they blow up really big,” said 9-year-old Andrew, when asked about Sturtevant’s annual Fourth of July fireworks. 

“It’s fun when the fireworks light up ‘cause they’re huge,” echoed his wide-eyed 6-year-old sister, Jamie. “Especially the purple ones.”

And their mom, Colleen Strain, loves the Sturtevant fireworks too, partly because it’s something she’s enjoyed since she was her kids’ age. 

Planning is underway for this year’s event, which is a Sturtevant tradition for many more families besides the Strains.

“This has been a tradition for generations and I know how important traditions are to people in this community,” said Linda Busha, village trustee and chair of the committee that organizes the event. “I wouldn’t want it to end; it means a lot to people.”

The 2007 fireworks almost didn't go off as the village worked to trim its budget.  Instead, the event went from being taxpayer-funded to a volunteer-driven, self-supporting community celebration. A nine-person committee meets monthly, starting in September, to plan both the event and fundraising activities to generate the roughly $18,000 needed each year to cover the fireworks, tents, portable restrooms, and other expenses.

The fireworks are funded through a variety of sources. There’s a $5 charge for parking, a percentage of the concession sales goes toward the cost, local businesses often make generous contributions, and there are containers to gather smaller contributions from the community. 

“We try to raise as much as we can,” said Busha. “Whatever we make goes right back to the fireworks.”

In addition, the committee has recently held new events to generate more substantial funds. Last year, “Hops for Pops,” a beer- and wine-tasting event was very successful. But when the committee staged the event again this March, it was poorly attended and barely broke even. That leaves the committee still forging ahead, but uncertain about being able to afford extra entertainment for the evening, like paid bands. 

Sturtevant's fireworks are held each year on July 3, at Firemen’s Park. Busha says it’s difficult to estimate how many thousands of people enjoy the fireworks, since they don’t all have to be at the park to see the show.  The committee works to keep the event family friendly, adding bouncy houses and face painting to the venue last year. Volunteers assist the village with set up and clean up, although Busha acknowledges it’s sometimes tough to get the helpers needed on the Fourth of July to pick up the park.

“We rely on people coming to the park, buying refreshments and paying for parking,” said Busha.

This year they will be relying on that even more, plus the generosity of Sturtevant businesses and citizens.  Donation cans will be placed at area businesses starting around Memorial Day, and Busha adds that contributions can also be made anytime by check to the Village of Sturtevant, with “fireworks” indicated on the memo line.

The only other thing the committee needs is something no amount of money can buy—good weather the night of the event.