At Save-a-lot, Everett Whitcher is holding a change round-up with the hope of raising funds to assist the Kewanee Chamber of Commerce with the rising cost of fireworks.
The local grocery store even got a few weeks head start on the fundraiser, said Mark Mikenas, executive director for the chamber.
For several years, the cost of fireworks has sharply increased. Mikenas can remember when the price was under $10,000 to fund the annual display held at Northeast Park on July 4. But those days appear to be over, he said.
The Kewanee fireworks are purchased each year through J&M Displays, and in 2024, that cost was $14,000, an increase over the previous year. In 2024, Mikenas said he expects the price to reach over $15,000.
“I have business letters ready to go,” Mikenas said last week.
Business letters sent to past contributors are just one way he raises funds. In addition to the Save-a-lot roundup and fundraising letters, Mikenas also relies on donation cans placed around area businesses asking for donations.
At one time, the chamber relied on its can-crushing abilities for collecting donated aluminum cans, but when the piece of equipment broke, it was too expensive to replace. Mikenas said the display also lost a major donor this year.
Stepping in to help are the owners of Timeout Pub & Grub. The owners will hold a Pedal Party on Saturday June 15, and proceeds for that will go to funding the fireworks show. T-shirts for the event are also on sale and orders are due by Friday, June 7. Mikenas said he’s also been in talks with PhatBoys BBQ restaurant owner, but had no details as of yet.
With just about a month to go to the big day, Mikenas hopes to see donations rolling in. The public can donate in several ways, he said. Donations can be dropped in the cans placed in area businesses or mail donations to, or bring them by, the Chamber office located at 113 E. Second Street.
“We’re looking for donations or ideas,” he said. “Feel free to call me.”
The annual Fireworks Show will be held on Thursday, July 4 at Northeast Park. High Jinx, a local band, will perform starting at 7:30 p.m. The display will begin at around 9:30 or 9:45 p.m. The park concession stand will be open to sell refreshments,
