Fourth of July Fireworks Saved - July 5 Show Planned
After a local service club decided to retire from organizing the annual Fourth of July fireworks show in Fort Bragg this year, the City of Fort Bragg, Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce and Fort Bragg Police Department pulled together to rescue the event, which is popular among tourists and locals. Leading the massive volunteer effort this year is KOZT owner/broadcaster Tom Yates.
Volunteers Needed
For the fireworks to happen, says Tom, about 40 volunteers are needed; a half dozen to help with setup on Friday the 4th, 20-30 to help with parking - which means 5-6 hours Saturday night, plus about an hour of training with the police earlier that week and another half dozen or more to tear down and cleanup. It’s a busy weekend for everyone but without volunteers, it’s not going to work. All volunteers will get a volunteers only Crew sweatshirt designed by Alan Ferguson of Braggadoon as a small thank you. It will be a blast!
If you have some civic spirit and want to join the effort, email fireworks@kozt.com or phone the Chamber office at 961-6300.
What’s The Plan?
Fireworks will be at Pomo Bluffs Park on Todd Point at dark (around 9:00PM) on Saturday, July 5th. All roads on Todd Point will be closed at 5:00PM for everyone except Todd Point residents and their guests. Limited parking will be available at the Carlson/Patton property (where the carnival was) and at College of The Redwoods until full.
Parking Charge Will Help Pay
To help with expenses, a five dollar parking donation is requested. The five dollar parking is to raise funds for seed money for next year, with the idea that, having done this successfully, one of our service clubs, non-profits or some organization will take over the fireworks and we’ll turn the funds over to that group. Vehicles with a valid disabled persons placard or license plate may park in the Pomo Bluffs Park parking, again on a first-come-first-served basis. An area of the park will be fenced for a fireworks safety buffer area. The rest of the park is pedestrian traffic only that night. Everyone is asked to be respectful of private property; please do not trespass or enter the safety buffer area. Fort Bragg Police Department has a zero tolerance policy on trespassing and on personal fireworks. Any questions about parking, contact Sgt. Charles Gilchrist of the Fort Bragg Police Department at 961-2800 ext. 112.
“Says Tom: “This should be a fun event, continuing the longest running fireworks on the coast. Pyro Spectaculars has a great record and have worked hard to put together an exceptional show. Fireworks can be viewed from the park, the parking lots, College of The Redwoods, Noyo Beach, the Noyo Bridge pedestrian walkways and many other public spots. Again, please stay off private property.”