Fox Lake plans smaller-scale fireworks show

There will be fireworks in Fox Lake this year, but it will be a smaller show and not on water as the village has been famous for in the past.

Village officials agreed Tuesday to pay $15,000 to Mad Bomber Firework Productions to put on the July 5 fireworks display.

That's far less than the $65,000 display the village staged last year during its Centennial Celebration. And it will move from the Chain O' Lakes to a 5-acre, village-owned parcel near Rollins Road, next to the village's sewer treatment plant.

Mayor Cindy Irwin said the village will be "getting out of the fireworks business" in 2009. An independent committee will form Aug. 1 to make decisions for future shows.

"If the committee wants to put it back on the water, then they will be free to do so next year," Irwin said.

Until this year, the Fox Lake Fireworks Committee -- headed by Pete Jakstas -- raised money and staged the fireworks from barges on Mineola Bay.

Jakstas retired after the 2007 show, forcing officials to find an alternate location and to raise money for the event themselves.

The village had planned to spend $25,000 on the 2008 show, Irwin said. That was cut to $15,000 by trustees Tuesday because of fundraising difficulties in the tough economic climate.

"People are fighting just to stay alive right now with the cost of gas and food and other necessities going up," she said. "People are donating what they can right now, but, of course, it's far less than in years past."

The village donated $7,500 and residents have pitched in $6,500, putting the $15,000 goal within reach. Fundraisers are scheduled to raise the remaining $1,000 needed, Irwin said.

"We should have no problem raising the money we approved last night," she said. "And, anything we raise over the amount needed will go to offset the village's cost of the fireworks."

The vote almost didn't take place, as trustees remained upset that Irwin again pushed to waive the state-imposed bid process for the fireworks. They blocked her first attempt a few weeks ago, but failed Tuesday.

Trustee Ed Bender, who will run against Irwin in 2009, said he voted against the waiver, but supported the fireworks show.

"I was uncomfortable with it because it's just not right to waive bids for something over $10,000," he said.

Bender said he is already working to ensure the 2009 event is on the water.

Last year's fireworks show ran about 45 minutes, but officials said it's unclear how long the July 5 event will last.