Democrats hope to reignite Fourth of July fireworks tradition

In 2009, for the first time in 16 years, there was no Fourth of July fireworks display at the Vernon County fairgrounds by Firefighters Local 3031. At the time, the firefighters sought out someone to take over the responsibilities but couldn't find anyone. Now someone has taken up the torch to coordinate the effort to reignite the celebration.

Phyllis Sprenkle said the Vernon County Democrats were willing to take the lead for the project if there was enough community support.

"It was brought to our attention that the firefighters had done that for several years and that they didn't do it last year for a lack of money," Sprenkle said. "We contacted Kelly Wingert, the president of the local firefighters here, and said they'd sure be willing to help with that if we could just collect enough money, so that's what our goal is right now, collect enough money."

One Vernon County real estate professional, Linda Barnes, said she supported the effort and set out to prove it. She pledged $100 to the effort and challenged all businesses in Vernon County to do the same.

"Last year I was so surprised not to have it." Barnes said. "We've lived several places in the Four States, in our little home towns of less than 2,000 and we had bigger fireworks. For years poor, poor towns and they still do. I just couldn't believe that we weren't celebrating this as a community."

Barnes said that she hadn't been approached about supporting the display before and the cost was less than she anticipated.

"I never thought about the cost, no one ever approached me for money for it," Barnes said. "I get phone calls, probably three a day for things; fingerprinting for the kids, drug books for the schools and so on, and I pretty much do everything. I was shocked when it said it just cost $3,000 because I was sure it would be much more than that. I thought "Gosh, 30 people giving $100 would take care of it. Although, they said it would cost more this year."

Sprenkle said they have had more people contact them with donations and said anything a person or business could do was appreciated.

"We'd take a dollar donation," Sprenkle said. "We're also looking for people to work on the committee for it. We'll need someone for the setup for it, but the firefighters are going to help."

Sprenkle said the group hopes to get enough donations by May 6 to know if they will be able to go ahead with the project.

"We would like to, by May 6, which is just a little over a week away, kind of know where we stand," Sprenkle said.

Because of the late start the group got the celebration would be on Friday, July 2. That date is historically accurate, it is the actual date the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain. The wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved July 4 but it was some time later when it was actually signed.

"We had to rethink what night we would have it on," Sprenkle said. "We're looking at July 2 because the Fourth is already committed by the company that puts all that together. Plus Sunday night is right before the Youth Fair starts. We didn't figure that would be a good night to have to get everything back in shape. I think we'll kick off the Independence Day weekend on Friday evening with the fireworks."

Sprenkle said having the display on a different weekend day also makes it easier for those who like to go to other towns for their displays to see both.

"There are a lot of people who go out of town on that weekend," Sprenkle said. "They can still go out of town Saturday and Sunday and see the fireworks in that town and that will work. Next year if it works and we can get support for it then next year we can plan it earlier and if they want to have it on the Fourth we can. This year getting it together so late we're just doing what we can."

To donate, contact Phyllis Sprenkle at (417) 884-5103 or psprenkle@tiadon.com.