The Canby Fire District Volunteer Firefighters Association is looking to make a bang with this year’s Fourth of July fireworks show — and they need your help.
The association, in partnership with the Canby Fire District, has organized and managed the annual community fireworks display since 2015, with the generous support of local businesses, organizations and residents.
With inflation and drastically rising manufacturing costs in China, where 99% of consumer fireworks and some 70% of professional fireworks are made, organizers are in need of additional support to secure this year’s show.
“We have the down payment for the 2023 fireworks display but need additional donations to ensure the fireworks will happen this July, as well as funds to secure the display for 2024,” Canby Fire Division Chief and Volunteer Coordinator Wayne Austen wrote in an April 17 letter to the community.
The high-quality show has traditionally been put on with the assistance of Canby-based Western Display Fireworks, which donates about a quarter of the cost of the $20,000 show and provides the licensed technicians to ensure the pyrotechnics are done safely and sanely.
The display serves as the close of the community’s Fourth of July celebration, which includes the city-organized Canby Independence Day Parade and Celebration in downtown Wait Park.
But the official display serves several purposes beyond offering up an entertaining show, as Austen explained, including reducing the number of fireworks-related emergency and medical incidents due to non-professionals taking matters into their own hands and drawing residents and visitors to patronize Canby businesses.
Those interested in supporting the display can make checks payable to the Canby Volunteer Firefighters Association and mail or hand-deliver them to the Canby Fire District at 221 South Pine Street, Canby, Oregon 97013.
Electronic payments may be made online through the association’s GoFundMe page. The Canby Volunteer Firefighter Association is a 501(c)(3) organization and your donation may be tax deductible. Donations of more than $500 will be advertised on the district website and social media.
According to a press release from the City of Canby, this year’s Independence Day event will return will all the usual bells and whistles, including a parade, car show, street fair full of food and beverage merchants, arts and craft retailers, family-friendly beer garden and live music.
“There are many great Canby organizations that help bring more elements to the event,” Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator Tyler Nizer said. “The Canby Historical Society is returning their highly coveted pancake breakfast, along with Friends of the Library’s Book Sale, the Canby Fire District’s Obstacle Course, and so much more!”
Interested residents and business owners can be a vendor at this year’s event, enter the car show, participate in the parade, or volunteer. For more information, contact Nizer at nizert@canbyoregon.gov.