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Fireworks get green light
Comments 0 | Recommend 0Councilman Sal DiCiccio said Monday that the traditional Independence Day fireworks will be back in Ahwatukee Foothills and take place as planned.
"I know that we will have the fireworks this year," said DiCiccio, who personally raised $5,000 from private contributors to help the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce meet its budget for the annual Red White and Boom fireworks display set for July 3 at the Ahwatukee Country Club near Warner Road and 48trh Street.
"We are in such tough times right now, we need these sorts of events to bring us together," DiCiccio said.
The chamber held a press conference today to announce reaching its fundraising goal.
As recently as two weeks ago the chamber said they had raised just $18,000 of the $25,000 needed to put on the free fireworks display, which has been an annual event for almost three decades.
Neighboring cities have also struggled to raise sufficient funds to put on fireworks shows this year. The city of Mesa, where fireworks have been held for nearly 40 years, recently announced that it has cancelled its annual display.
DiCiccio said he worked with city officials to help cut some of the costs the chamber must pay, while at the same time raising donations to fill the gap.
He was elated that the fireworks were coming back to Ahwatukee Foothills four years after moving them to Rawhide on the Gila River Indian Community, and will proceed as planned.
"I remember how great it was seeing all the kids running around and all the people talking - it was a beautiful event," DiCiccio said.
Terri Kimble, president of the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, said that raising enough money to put on fireworks this year shows how much the entire community stepped up to the plate.
"This speaks volumes about what Ahwatukee Foothills represents," Kimble said.
The fireworks show will be held at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 3 at the Ahwatukee Country Club.
See the June 12 issue of the Ahwatukee Foothills News for more information or visit www.ahwatukee.com.
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