The Lions Club of Cazenovia is busy coordinating the biggest fireworks display that has ever been prepared for the annual July Fourth celebrations Cazenovia.
The local group has once again hired the nationally-acclaimed company Zambelli Fireworks, of New Castle, Pa., to put on the show for community members.
“We are adding 136 more shells to the display this year. That represents a 25 percent increase over last year,” said Cazenovia Lions Club Fireworks Chairperson George Williams. “Since the Lions Club took over the fireworks five years ago, the whole community has rallied behind our effort to continue the traditional Fourth of July fireworks in Cazenovia by stepping up to the plate financially. This year we have contributions totaling $6,500 [as of] June 16.”
Every summer, Lions Club members install the familiar rocket-meter sign – which was recently grandfathered into Cazenovia’s sign ordinance by the village board – on the Lakeland Park fence, so all pedestrians and drivers can stay informed of the fundraising progress. The meter is updated regularly by the group, and the fund is currently about $3,000 away from reaching its goal amount of $10,000.
Every dollar that is raised for the firework display is spent exclusively on the cost of the show. When the goal is surpassed — as it was last year by $3,000 — the excess funds are placed into an account for future fireworks shows. Due to the strong support in 2011, the Caz Lions Club decided to spend an extra $1,000 on the 2012 show.
Williams said there will be 10 more salutes in the opening barrage, as well as 84 additional salutes within the display’s grand finale. The rest of the 136 additional pyrotechnics the Caz Lions Club plans to feature will include new floral and buzzing shells.
This year’s display will begin at 9:30 p.m. at the southern end of Cazenovia Lake. In case of inclement weather, a rain date has been set for July 5. Williams said the Lions Club is attempting to persuade Cazenovia Village Mayor Kurt Wheeler to ceremoniously light the first pyrotechnics, along with a club member and Zambelli representatives. Lions Club International provides insurance to both the town and the village of Cazenovia for the show.
For those hoping to contribute to the final stages of fundraising, donations can be mailed to “Fireworks Fund” at P.O. Box 83, Cazenovia.
All contributors will be published in a future issue of Cazenovia Republican.
Pierce Smith is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at 434-8889 ext. 338 or [email protected].
