MAYVILLE — Fireworks will light up the sky this weekend in Mayville due to donations from citizens and businesses in the area.
The $8,000 needed for the fireworks show was exceeded with donations totaling $10,796. Funds from another fundraiser will add almost $2,000 more to the total, but they have not been received by Kathie Wild, city comptroller/treasurer. Funds exceeding the $8,000 needed for this year's fireworks will be saved toward next year's celebrations.
According to Mayor Tracy Heron, the fundraising started late and funds were slow coming in at first. Firemen's collection boots were set around town but it was difficult getting the word out that money needed to be raised quickly.
"It was the loose change and dollar bills dropped into the collection boots that enabled us to make the down payment and get the contract signed with the fireworks company," Heron said. "Without those small donations there would be no fireworks this year."
By signing the contract with a $400 down payment, Heron stepped out in faith, believing that people would view the fireworks tradition as worthy of supporting with personal donations. Many organizations gave a helping hand at fundraisers for the traditional event. The Ladies Fire Dept. Auxiliary held a burger fry during the city wide rummage sale, raising $850 for the fireworks.
Letters were eventually sent out to about 80 Mayville businesses asking for donations.
The Mayville Golf Course, MEC and TSB Bank each donated $1,000. When Rotary worked with Jerry and Pat Mountin of Mountin's Piggly Wiggly, their burger/brat fry raised more than $3,500. Many other businesses also made donations from $25 to $500.
"People may not realize how often businesses are solicited for donations for various events and how often they give generously when asked," Heron said. "We can thank them by shopping at their stores and procuring their services instead of traveling out of town to spend our dollars."
Heron said that individual donations really started picking up when the larger donations were publicized. As recently as last week the city clerk received a visit from four young visitors: Emily, Eric, Ethan and Adam Janssen who pooled their earnings and donated $14 to see that the fireworks take place this year.
"This year's 4th of July is going to be the best ever partly because so many people have ownership of the fireworks that will shoot into the night sky," Heron said. "These fireworks did not come cheap, so I think they will be enjoyed all the more. Generosity seems to be very characteristic of the people of Mayville, even during tough economic times. There is a strong sense of community here that is humbling to witness."
The July 4 celebrations will include a baseball game between the Mayville Junior Legion baseball team and Lomira/Theresa Legion team starting at 4 p.m. and Mayville Legion baseball team versus Lomira/Theresa Legion at 7 p.m. A brief ceremony before the fireworks at dark will be held to thank everyone who donated for the display.
"On the 4th of July we celebrate our freedom," Heron said. "This year the people of Mayville had the freedom to decide whether or not we would have fireworks, and we invite everyone to Fireman's Field on the Fourth to see firsthand what the response was."
Firefighters will sell hamburgers and refreshments while the firefighters auxiliary will sell candy, popcorn, chips, French-fries, nachos and refreshments. The money that the Mayville Fire Department make at the event will be used for life insurance for firefighters and will help support different organizations and events in the city.
dharris@capitalnewspapers.com