Recession's Next Victim: 4th of July Fireworks?
By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 9, 2009 7:30PM
With the current recession pushing local and national unemployment levels to new highs, it's hard to take more trivial casualties of the recession very seriously. Yet, sometimes it's the small things that help ease - if only temporarily - our worries and fears in a tanking economy. And one of those things are fireworks. The loud, sparkly explosions still leaves many a Chicagoist staffer in wide-eyed awe. But for some areas, budget cuts in the current recessions mean events like 4th of July fireworks are among the first to go. For example, North Aurora has reportedly already canceled theirs and Batavia is considering doing the same unless they can find more money.
Batavia's display costs $35,000 to put on and, according to ABC 7, one-third of the private sector funding has been reduced due to the recession. Still, efforts are underway to salvage the celebration. Roger Breisch, Batavia Fireworks Committee, told ABC 7, "Ask any adult what memories they have from their childhood and some people will tell you about Christmas or Easter or whatever, everybody will tell you about Fourth of July fireworks." To that end, a Facebook group and website have been set up to help raise funds. Briesch is hopeful the show will go on, adding, "It is the United States of America and it is its birthday. People love it." [ABC 7]