Often we hear comments by individuals who believe that governments, organizations, and/or businesses should be working together more for community causes. While in many cases these are astute observations, what are often ignored are the many examples of such cooperation that already exist. The fireworks display held on July 4 at the athletic fields adjacent to Jack Young Middle School, Baraboo High School, and GLW Elementary serve as a wonderful example of cooperation in our area.

The fireworks display is one of those events that few people give much thought to. For most people, the display "just happens" each year and they have no idea what goes into putting it together. What they’re missing is a great story of what can happen when various entities work together for a common cause.

The story begins with the financing for the event. Few people realize the cost of a fireworks display. For the size show typically displayed in the Baraboo area, we spend approximately $10,000-$11,000 each year. Even fewer people realize that some of the cost of fireworks each year is covered by a portion of the room tax that is collected from visitors who stay in accommodations in the City of Baraboo and the Village of West Baraboo.

The rest of the funding for the event is raised by the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce through donations from businesses and individuals. This year more than 20 businesses and individuals donated to the event, most notably Wegner LLP CPAs, Pierce’s Marketplace and the Ho-Chunk Nation, who were our lead corporate sponsors.

Each year while the fundraising for the display is going on, the Chamber of Commerce works with the pyrotechnics company that it has contracted to literally get the "biggest bang for our bucks".

With contract in hand (as well as proof of insurance) the Chamber approaches the Baraboo School District for permission to use their grounds and the City of Baraboo for a permit to launch the fireworks. A few weeks before the event, the Chamber meets with a representative from the maintenance staff for the schools regarding issues with the grounds, the Baraboo Police Department and the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department regarding public safety and traffic control, and the Baraboo Fire Department and the Baraboo District Ambulance Service regarding potential fire and personal health emergencies. The result of this meeting is a plan with a clear understanding of the role each of these entities will play for the event.

A day or two prior to the fireworks, the school district removes the nets from the tennis courts on the grounds to ensure they are not damaged by falling fireworks embers. The police department posts no-parking signs along pre-selected streets to ensure the flow of traffic the evening of the event. The Chamber handles the work involved with putting up a safety perimeter around the fireworks launching site (to keep people a safe distance from the eventual fallout of fireworks debris) and also arranges to have port-a-potties delivered at strategic locations.

The evening of the event, the Chamber staffs the safety perimeter line with volunteers. The school district provides a staff presence to handle issues with the school facilities. Individuals who choose to watch the fireworks display from the football stadium are treated to a patriotic concert made possible through the Concerts on the Square Series, organized by Gerry Stich.

The Baraboo Fire Department sprays down a layer of foam to protect the tennis courts, and later stands prepared with Baraboo Ambulance to handle emergencies. At the same time, the Baraboo Police and Sauk County Sheriff’s Department have their presence on-site to ensure personal safety. Key parties are kept in communication over the evening via radios donated by Pointon Communications.

Following all the "oohs" and "ahhs," a familiar sight is members of the Police Department helping to direct people from the event area. What very few people see, however, is what happens the following morning. That’s when the Chamber of Commerce sends in a crew of volunteers to help clean up the fireworks fallout and other debris from the school grounds. To that end, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department has offered a crew from the Huber Center to assist with the cleanup for the last several years. Their help is much appreciated.

This story might be long, but it is worth telling. The various entities involved include (in one form or another) the Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Baraboo, Village of West Baraboo, Baraboo School District, Baraboo Police Department, Baraboo Fire Department, Baraboo Ambulance, Sauk County Sheriff’s Department, area media, business and individual donors, and event volunteers.

Off of the top of my head, I can think of no other area event that ties together all those various entities. And it should be pointed out that all of this is done for the community; this is not a money-making event for any of the listed partners. This is something we join together to do for our community.

So the next time you hear someone complain that there is not enough cooperation between the various entities in our area, remind them what is accomplished each year when we join together in honor of our nation’s birthday.