Funds needed for Fourth of July fireworks

We may only be near the end of May, but the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department is already thinking about the 4th of July fireworks display and are unfortunately coming up short.

According to fire chief Mark Collins, it takes about $12,000 to create a 20-30 minute display. This year, one of the department’s main funding sources cut their donation from $5,000 to just $1,000, a huge blow to the event.

“The fire department has been doing this show since 1962,” Collins said, “and the community has always been generous.”

The cost of the fireworks have gone up considerably over the last few years, but Collins said they have managed to create good shows in spite of the rising costs.

“If every household would donate just $5, we would have a fabulous show,” he said.

If you would like to make a donation to this year’s display, you may drop the contribution off at the Chamber of Commerce or at the firehall in the red mail box out front. If you would prefer to mail in your donation you may send it to the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department, 400 South 14th Street.