Thursday, Jun. 11, 2009

Caseyville, Collinsville fireworks go f-f-f-phth

Plans for two metro-east fireworks shows have went up in smoke this year, thanks to the economy.

Caseyville village leaders voted to cancel their $25,000 Independence Day fireworks show, which would have been the village’s 11th annual one. Trustee Kerry Davis said the fireworks company, J&M Displays, let them out of their contract and returned the village’s deposit.

J&M representative Joyce Schulte said Caseyville is not alone.

“Other communities around the country have also needed to cancel their fireworks displays because they, too, are struggling financially during the present economic downturn,” Schulte said, adding that Davis was pretty down when he called to cancel. “We hope to be back next year.”

The Collinsville Jaycees voted Monday to cancel their fireworks display, which has been going on for more than 25 years.

“The level of donations has decreased,” said John Phillips, the fireworks chairman for the nonprofit group.

With less than half the money raised for the $10,000 show, “It was just an unwise decision for us to move forward,” he said.

The Collinsville Jaycees group will return the donations, Schulte said.

Schulte said some communities are cutting back on displays and she offered some other ideas for a Caseyville celebration. She said her company’s only other show in the metro-east is in Dupo and is still on.

Fireworks shows in Granite City and Troy will go on as planned.

“Ours is done through fundraising, so we had to fund raise a little harder,” to put on the $37,000 Patriots in the Park carnival and fireworks event, said David Williams, director of the Granite City Park District.

Williams said the event has been going on for more than 50 years.

In Bethalto and Mascoutah, the night skies will be full of even bigger fireworks displays than in years past.

“Actually, we added to it,” said Mascoutah City Clerk Kari Haaf of the seventh-annual Old Fashioned July 4th Celebration.

The village used funds leftover from previous years to invest an additional $1,000, for a fireworks show that cost about $7,500.

Pastor Phil Schneider said the fireworks display at the St. Louis Regional Airport and the accompanying food, car show, concerts and other events will be even bigger than the past. This year marks the third that Corner Stone Church has put on the $16,000 event.

In Caseyville, the village usually pays for the fireworks with its motel and tourism tax.

Davis said canceling the show also saves on village police and public works employee overtime and spending as the village works to balance its budget.

Phillips hopes the fireworks display in Collinsville will return next year, whether the Jaycees or the city or another organization wants to take charge of it: “I would certainly like to see the show go on.”

Contact reporter Maria Baran at mbaran@bnd.com or 239-2460.