Fireworks in Seattle, 2005. (Photo courtesy Michael Lane via Wikimedia Commons)
Don't count out a July Fourth extravaganza on Lake Union. News that Seattle would go fireworks-free this Independence Day prompted Seattle chef Tom Douglas to make a pronouncement Thursday on the Dave Ross Show on KIRO-FM radio: The chef pledged $5,000 to return the canceled fireworks show and challenged other businesses to pony up, too.
Ross gave a grand. Pledges began to roll in: Red Mill Burgers $3,000, Charlies Produce $10,000, Nordstrom $25,000, and so on.
Starbucks and Microsoft went on to offer $125,000 each, covering half the event's cost -- so long as Seattle businesses and residents can raise $250K.
How soon could the remaining money be raised?
Answer: Very soon. On Friday morning, MyNorthwest.com reported the community reached the $500,000 pledge goal to save the show. After lots of businesses stepped up to the challenge, Merrill Gardens pledged the remaining balance. (See the running tally of business donors here.)
“The community support around this event has been wonderful to witness,” One Reel CEO Toni Aspin said in a press release on Thursday. “We never expected there would be such an outpouring of enthusiasm with people rallying around to ensure the event takes place this year. I hope we are successful; One Reel would like nothing more than to produce this event for Seattle with so much help from our community."
Smaller gifts for a while could be made here via Family4th.org, but now that the goal has been reached, the site has shut down. Pledges raised there totaled $7,454. "This website, along with www.mynorthwest.com, are the only websites authorized to accept donations in support of this event," states the press release.
FURTHER READING
Fireworks called off just a day before
