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Buck up for a big July 4 celebration

by DIANE HIGDEM/Guest Opinion
| July 2, 2016 9:00 PM

One dollar.

The flashes and booms in the skies over our Coeur d’Alene represent more than just a national holiday, it also represents a coming together of citizens, neighbors, friends, and family to celebrate a long-standing American tradition. While we all know of the Declaration of Independence and its importance; from where did the idea of fireworks come?

The Declaration, a list of grievances against King George III of England, was written to justify the colonies breaking away from the mother country and becoming an independent nation. Independence Day became a holiday celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the document on July 4, 1776. But the spirit of Independence Day is not only about the United States officially becoming a country; it’s also a celebration of the values that our country was founded upon.

Even when the Declaration of Independence was signed, John Adams believed it should be commemorated in a celebratory manner. He wrote to his wife, Abigail, “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival... It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” A year later, Congress itself ordained the tradition, enjoying in Philadelphia a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with 13 rockets on the commons. The celebratory firing of muskets, artillery and other explosives was a carryover from colonial days. “What was different about it is they began to have the fireworks represent the 13 states,” James Heintze, a retired librarian emeritus of American University and author of the “Fourth of July Encyclopedia,” says. “The numerical symbolism became very important for the Fourth of July.”

Harry Rubenstein, a curator of American politics at the Smithsonian Institution, said that it’s also important to remember that as Americans, we should continue to embody the values our country was built on. “These are principles that you achieve and not just state,” he said. “[Our country] is a work in progress.” He mentions that although Independence Day is our national holiday and has huge historical significance, it should be one of celebration.

It is in this spirit that the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce seeks the support of the entire community, and not just its members. On the Fourth, there is an exuberance that permeates our town the whole day, culminating when the fireworks commence; and it is easy to be swept up in the enthusiasm of the moment without giving thought to how the day-long festivities are financed. While the activities in the city park and the parade is sponsored by the Coeur d’Alene Casino/Resort Hotel, and the event sponsor is Numerica; the fireworks are funded entirely by community donations. Without this financial support, the program fizzles, forcing the Chamber to dig into its own coffers and provide the needed funds.

Helping create seed money for the next year’s show, a group is “hired” to help collect funds through the “Bucket Brigade.” With the Snake Pit Derby Dames in this position for the last few years, these energetic solicitors travel up and down the parade route, seeking donations from the gathering crowds before the parade starts. While it is easy to step back and look away, avoiding eye contact, the Chamber encourages each and every attendee to come to the parade with just one dollar in their pocket to stuff into the bucket. One dollar. With crowds filling the sidewalks, the fireworks show’s financial goal of $23,000 would be easily attained.

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Diane Higdem works for the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce and is known in The Press newsroom as The Fireworks Lady. Email: diane@cdachamber.com