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Shortage Of Bucks May Take Some Bang Out Of July 4th

Tribune file photo by VICTOR JUNCO (2006)

Tough times have corporate sponsors cutting back on their traditional donations for Fourth of July fireworks displays.

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 2, 2008

Updated: 06/02/2008 03:57 pm

TAMPA Tight budgets and a sagging economy may mean less pop and more fizzle in some fireworks displays this Fourth of July.

Three cities that set off fireworks last year have canceled for this Fourth of July, all pressed by budget constraints.

And unless the Treasure Island City Commission approves an offer tonight from a local business to pay for the fireworks, that beach community will pass on the display, said City Manager Reid Silverboard.

St. Pete Beach won't set off fireworks this Independence Day.

"It's not in the budget this year," said Gary Behnkey, human resource administrator.

Plant City canceled its celebration when the major corporate sponsor the past six years couldn't continue supporting the event.

Bill Heard Chevrolet, which contributed $160,000 over the past six years for the fireworks display, can't donate enough to cover the fireworks, forcing the city to pull the plug on an event that cost $74,000 in 2007 but has only $14,000 in donations for 2008.

City Manager David Sollenberger said the town is still open to a sponsor should someone step forward though the price tag for putting on the explosive display could top $35,000.

"Like all the other public agencies, we're trying to cope with tax reform," he said.

And Tarpon Springs decided to use the $22,500 budgeted for its 2008 fireworks to repair the city's emergency radio system.

However, the city is trying to work out a deal with a sponsor to get this year's event back on track.

Two of the cities that canceled their displays had accidents in 2007 when shells detonated prematurely and caused other shells at ground level to explode.

The explosion in St. Pete Beach caused a dozen minor injuries and broke 20 windows of a nearby motel.

A similar accident in Treasure Island caused no injuries or serious damage.

And those cities that do pay for displays of starbursts and rockets bursting in air may get less bang for their money.

Bill Bahr, president of the Pyrotechnics Guild International, a trade and interest group for the fireworks industry and hobbyists, anticipates a general reduction this year.

Insurance and risk of accidents are making importers more wary of transporting fireworks, he said.

Without corporate money, Largo's fireworks display would be dark this year and in 2009. Money for Largo's fireworks was cut from the budget, but Bay Star Group will pick up most of this year's cost, said Joan Byrne, director of recreation, parks and art for the city.

"We would not be having fireworks if we did not have a corporate sponsor. It was taken out of the budget," she said.

Money for fireworks will not be in next year's spending plan, either, she said. But Bay Star Group has agreed to pick up the sponsorship for this year and the next two years. Byrne said.

In St. Petersburg, Clear Channel Broadcasting opened its corporate wallet to pay for this year's fireworks at The Pier as well as last year and in 2009.

Clarence Scott, director of city services, could not say whether the fireworks would be put on without the help of Clear Channel. He did say the city would be creative as possible at finding the money if there were no sponsor.

Other fireworks displays in the Tampa Bay area will go on, some because they already were in city budgets.

That's the case in Clearwater, Gulfport and Temple Terrace, which will have fireworks.

Safety Harbor will have its fireworks this year, but there's no guarantee money will be in the budget for 2009, said Brad Purdy, city spokesman. The city begins its budget discussions for 2009 in July, and money may or may not be there for fireworks.

"Anything is possible in the budget process," Purdy said.

Fireworks in Tampa will be put on by Channelside Bay Plaza. The city provides support services but the entertainment complex handles the pyrotechnics.

In Pasco County, the fair association puts on fireworks in Dade City, mainly through corporate donations.

But the association is finding less money from businesses this year, said fair association President Wilton Simpson. The association will cover any difference if private donations fall sort and plans to expand this year's entertainment, Simpson said.

The Westfield Brandon mall will put on its fireworks display again this year, said marketing director Dawn Richter. The event is put on by the mall, and the economy hasn't caused a cutback.

"It will be the same thing as last year," she said.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731 or njohnson@tampatrib.com.

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