Fireworks in Central New York: A Brief History

      Shortly after World War II ended, community leaders in Ithaca were searching for a way to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. Several members of the Chamber of Commerce suggested a fireworks show. The idea caught on quickly and donations were sought for the event.   Within a matter of days, $1,000 — a mighty sum in 1947 — had been raised from downtown merchants. The city pledged a matching amount and Cornell University offered its football stadium for the fireworks show. A tradition was started.

      That same year, someone came up with the idea of placing barrels at Cornell's stadium so that spectators could make donations to fund future fireworks shows.  Another tradition was born; to this day, donations are the mainstay for the fireworks shows organized by a volunteer committee.

      Over the years, a few changes have taken place. The venue has moved from Cornell's East Hill campus to Ithaca College, atop South Hill.  Family-oriented stage entertainers replaced marching bands and drum-and-bugle corps.  A VIP seating area complete with pre-fireworks activities and a barbecue buffet was added.  While the annual fireworks shows have always been free to the public, there are nominal charges for the VIP section.

      Each year, tens of thousands of people from all over the area view the annual fireworks spectacle.  Whether they're on the host campus or watching from hillsides and even boats on Cayuga Lake, they describe the Ithaca shows as "the biggest and best."  The Ithaca Community Fireworks display is the longest-running annual fireworks shows in several counties around Central New York. While some other communities now offer smaller fireworks shows, the one in Ithaca continues to set the standard.

      Yet another American tradition prevails — inflation.  The price of putting on a wonderful family event for the community has skyrocketed.

      Barrels are still placed at entrances to the Ithaca College campus, where volunteers urge spectators to make donations for future fireworks shows.  Butt donations have not kept up with inflation.  These donations just don't generate enough to cover current costs, let alone provide seed money for future fireworks shows.  Two decades ago, a family of five might drop $10 in the donation barrels.  Today, most people drop even less in the barrels. Yet the cost of producing a show continues to rise.

      Individual donations are at an all-time low in actual dollars, providing about five percent of the price tag for producing shows and related activities.

      Despite many efforts to increase individual giving and cost-cutting measures, the gap between expenses and contributions has grown in recent years.  This has reduced the reserve account that could help the fireworks committee recover from a drastic drop in donations, something that could occur in the case of severe weather or low attendance.  Fireworks shows are anywhere from 10 to 20 times more expensive than they were 25 years ago.

      The challenge is to close that gap and preserve this annual patriotic event for future generations.  That’s why your generosity is so important!