Elk River Needs Its Fourth of July Fireworks!
Because of the retirement of Jim Boyle, chair of the Elk River Independence Day Committee, and no one willing to take his place to head the committee, Elk River’s long-standing fireworks display on the Fourth of July is in question.
There is commitment from some on the City Council to continue the tradition, and the City already contributes $6,000 from the Elk River Economic Development Authority to the fireworks show, and an additional $5,000 worth of city labor to the event, which has included activities at Lions Park capped by fireworks at dusk.
We hope that the activities continue, but it might just be only the fireworks. It is tough for cities to budget enough for police working traffic control at events this large what with all the other costs that are coming up.
There is a budget from the City for $10,000 plus $1,800 the Elk River Independence Day Committee has carried over, $3,000 to $4,000 would be needed to put on a $15,000 fireworks show like last year’s. And, perhaps, with donors from the community, it can still be done in time.
This show draws thousands to Elk River and the surrounding area so it is an economically feasible event.
For many years, the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Fourth of July celebration at Orono Park, but the chamber ended its run after the 2008 event. No Fourth of July event was held in Elk River in 2009. The Elk River Independence Day Committee held its inaugural event in 2010 at Lions Park and has organized it ever since.
I hope that something can be worked out to allow Elk River to be the beacon to the county for events such as this. We all need to work together to keep Elk River and Sherburne County a place we love to live!
Don Sabinske
Sabinske & Associates Inc. Sherburne County Realtor
763-350-7960
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