Light up the night

Fireworks explode over Lake Coeur d'Alene during Fourth of July celebrations.

Harley Bolstad, 2, of Post Falls, makes herself comfortable on the hot pavement prior to last year's Fourth of July parade on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.

| June 25, 2013 9:00 PM

Harley Bolstad, 2, of Post Falls, makes herself comfortable on the hot pavement prior to last year's Fourth of July parade on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.

Back in 1776, John Adams penned a letter to his wife, Abigail, describing his vision of future celebrations of the day the Declaration of Independence would be adopted by the Continental Congress.

The Fourth of July "ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade ... bonfires and illuminations ... from this time forward forevermore," Adams wrote.

And so it is.

But like freedom, a good fireworks show has a cost.

The Lake City's Fourth of July "illuminations" are paid for each year by donations from businesses and individuals.

The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce, host of the Independence Day celebration, expects the cost of this year's fireworks event to be $40,000. That includes the light show, traffic control, permits and waste management.

The parade, emceed by Press columnist Kerri Thoreson, begins at 11 a.m. and runs west along Sherman Avenue from 15th Street to Government Way. Before the parade begins, a team of volunteers called the "Backwards Bucket Brigade" will collect donations from the crowd. This is the community's chance to help finance the fireworks show.

After the parade, the festivities will continue in City Park, with food vendors, live music at the bandstand and big, bouncy toys.

The celebration will end with the 20-minute fireworks show.

•••

Fund the fireworks

Donations of all sizes are welcome. Donors who give $500 or more will have their photos published in The Press. Donors of $1,000 or more will also receive up to 10 tickets to watch the fireworks show from the chamber's private patio.

Diane 292-1635 or diane@cdachamber.com