July 4th Rotary fireworks will happen in Ashland
Ashland will have fireworks on July 4th — “socially distanced style.”
The Rotary Club of Ashland, which has sponsored the community fireworks celebration for more than 30 years, and Mayor Matt Miller announced this week that the annual display on Saturday July 4 will proceed with additional safety precautions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With all we’ve been through the past several months, we really need to have a fireworks celebration, and the Rotary Club is going to make it happen for our community...But we need your help,” adding that the Covid lockdown has put the club’s fireworks fund-raising efforts behind schedule." - Mitch Piskur
Due to the pandemic restrictions and need for social distancing, the pre-fireworks entertainment and festivities in Community Stadium are being canceled.
“Safety is our No. 1 concern in these times,” said incoming Rotary President Ted Daniels. “But we are fortunate that Community Stadium is surrounded by lots of neighborhoods, parking lots and open areas where spectators can easily spread out and responsibly practice social distancing while still enjoy this important community celebration. That’s what makes fireworks in Ashland more doable than in other communities.”
Mayor Miller said the fireworks vendor said they can shoot more of the rockets higher so the fireworks will be visible from even more neighborhoods and the surrounding area. He added that he has been keeping Ashland City-County Health Commissioner Heather Reffett informed about the plans.
Piskur said community financial support is especially important since two of the club’s major fund-raising sources — table sales for entertainment at Community Stadium and canvasing the crowd the night of the event — won’t happen this year.
The club is currently presenting a variety of sponsorship opportunities to past supporters, he said.
In addition, the club is holding a “50-50 Super Raffle,” in which a maximum of 150 tickets are being sold at $100 each, with a potential top prize of $7,500, Piskur said. Tickets are available from Rotary Club members.
“And donations of any size are also welcomed. Every little bit helps. It’s that kind of support that makes this celebration possible,” Daniels said.
Donations can be made online at ashlandrotary.net or mailed to Rotary Club of Ashland, P.O. Box 630, Ashland, Ohio 44805. For more information on sponsorship possibilities or Super Raffle tickets, email mpiskur@agoc.com or call 419-289-0161, ext. 1.
“We are going to have fireworks. Now more than ever it is time to celebrate our great freedom in this country,” Mayor Miller said. “Hopefully that evening we’ll be able to highlight our veterans and our first responders who have served us with such dedication during these uncertain times.”