VISALIA (KMJ) — Visalia’s annual fireworks show is being used to give a local group a time to shine.
“The City Council is seeking a local community organization, or a non-profit, to host the fireworks show this 4th of July,” explains the city’s Allison Mackey. “The City Council’s providing financial assistance, and the location as well. So we’re really excited to see if any local organizations are interested in working with us.”
Officials are offering $20,000 this year to put the show on at Groppetti Stadium.
“So $10,000 in annual funding would be the city’s contribution. Not only this year but in coming years, should the non-profit choose to do the show this year and say through 2020 or 2025.
“Because we’re looking at a limited time-frame, this year only we’re going to give an additional $10,000 to help because [city officials] realize that an organization that signs on hasn’t had a full year.”
Officials add that the chosen organization will receive all proceeds from the event and technical assistance.
In exchange, the host organization has to agree to provide a 20 minute fireworks show on July 4, 2017. The proposal should include insurance, funding for the full cost of it (taking the City’s donation into account) and accept the designation as host of the event, with the intent of continuing it in future years.
The letter of interest should be sent to the city’s offices at 220 N. Santa Fe Street. The deadline is Wednesday March 8th at 5pm.
Letters should contain the community organization’s previous experience in organizing and funding events, the number of volunteers available for the event, and explain how insurance would be secured for the event.
City officials hope to have their final decision made by March 20, 2017.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
