Batavia fireworks show set for full BOOM!

Batavians will get their usual half-hour fireworks show Thursday after all.

The show was in danger of being canceled earlier this spring, or shortened, as the Batavia Fireworks Committee started the year with just $4,500 in hand. It costs $35,000 for the fireworks, plus about $5,000 more for items such as stage rental and the sound system.

But thanks to two major donations, and a couple of fresh fundraising events, the show will go on.

“It was a ton of work,” said Alderman Susan Stark, a committee member.

Besides the registration fees from the annual citywide garage sale, and money raised at the annual “Books vs. Badges” basketball game, the committee had an event at a local jewelry store, a wine-tasting at a wine store, had a campaign with local restaurants, sold “Save the Fireworks” buttons, and accepted donations by text message.

The Illinois Lottery announced earlier this week that it has donated $2,500, and will have a booth at the event. The Peapod Half-Madness Half-Marathon donated $5,000, making it a “gold” sponsor.

“We’ve never had one of those,” Stark marveled.

As of Tuesday night the fund had $47,000.

The committee will collect donations for parking in lots at Batavia High School, and will also solicit donations from the crowd.

The event starts at 5 p.m. with “Savor the Flavor” food booths at Engstrom Family Park, Main Street and Millview Drive. Two bands will play during the early evening.

The fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m. Seating is available in the park and on the grounds of the high school.

The show will go on even if it is raining. However, if there is a thunderstorm or high winds, the show will be postponed one day.