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PITTSBURG —
Mike Dalton of J &M Displays, who set out the Pittsburg Fourth of July fireworks show at Lincoln Park, said Wednesday afternoon that he thought it would be a pretty good show.
That may have been an understatement.
“It was awesome, the best fireworks I’ve ever seen,” said Jamie Shaffer, Girard.
Darlene Brown, Pittsburg, echoed that sentiment.
“It was spectacular, the best show I’ve ever seen,” she said. “I think it was just a really good celebration all around. There were more craft booths this year, and it looked like there were more people playing bocci and horseshoes.”
Kim Vogel, Pittsburg Parks and Recreation director, noted that the show had a budget of just over $16,000 this year.
“It was all paid for by donations, and Jake’s Fireworks donated a lot of multi-shot or cake fireworks,” Dalton said.
Among the spectators Wednesday night was Richard Wiley, Topeka, who formerly lived in Pittsburg and worked for the city. He said that the shows he had seen in the past were really good, and questioned why the fireworks were dropped from the city budget.
“When I worked here, the city budgeted $25,000 for the fireworks, and I thought it was a big benefit for the city to do something like that,” Wiley said. “It’s an economic benefit for the city. Just look at all the people here tonight. The fireworks draw more people than the swimming pool does.”
Fortunately, private and business donors came through again this year.
“We’re very fortunate to have generous donors,” Vogel said.
“It shows that when citizens come together and donate their money, something spectacular happens,” Brown said.
“The longer I live here, the more impressed I am with Pittsburg,” said Paul Hanney, her husband. “This is something for people to be proud of.”
Mike Dalton of J &M Displays, who set out the Pittsburg Fourth of July fireworks show at Lincoln Park, said Wednesday afternoon that he thought it would be a pretty good show.
That may have been an understatement.
“It was awesome, the best fireworks I’ve ever seen,” said Jamie Shaffer, Girard.
Darlene Brown, Pittsburg, echoed that sentiment.
“It was spectacular, the best show I’ve ever seen,” she said. “I think it was just a really good celebration all around. There were more craft booths this year, and it looked like there were more people playing bocci and horseshoes.”
Kim Vogel, Pittsburg Parks and Recreation director, noted that the show had a budget of just over $16,000 this year.
“It was all paid for by donations, and Jake’s Fireworks donated a lot of multi-shot or cake fireworks,” Dalton said.
Among the spectators Wednesday night was Richard Wiley, Topeka, who formerly lived in Pittsburg and worked for the city. He said that the shows he had seen in the past were really good, and questioned why the fireworks were dropped from the city budget.
“When I worked here, the city budgeted $25,000 for the fireworks, and I thought it was a big benefit for the city to do something like that,” Wiley said. “It’s an economic benefit for the city. Just look at all the people here tonight. The fireworks draw more people than the swimming pool does.”
Fortunately, private and business donors came through again this year.
“We’re very fortunate to have generous donors,” Vogel said.
“It shows that when citizens come together and donate their money, something spectacular happens,” Brown said.
“The longer I live here, the more impressed I am with Pittsburg,” said Paul Hanney, her husband. “This is something for people to be proud of.”
