Rotary to light up skies with fireworks

Ramona Rotary Club will again sponsor the community fireworks event that will light up the skies over Ramona on July 4.

Festivities will take place on the track and field behind Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, with fireworks going off to patriotic music from KYXY 96.5 FM radio.

Admission to the annual event is free.

Professional caterers will provide food and will donate a portion of their proceeds to the fireworks effort. Among items that will be available are hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, Mexican food and cotton candy.

Ramona nonprofit gropus will have fundraising booths offering games, non-food items, bottled non-alcoholic drinks and more. Ramona Rotary will be selling glow-in-the-dark products as a club fundraiser.

Sponsors donating $500 or more will be recognized with banners at the event, and donors of $200 and more will be recognized in print and onsite announcements.

The estimated total cost to put on the event is $22,000. Of that, $17,000 is targeted for the fireworks display.

When Ramona Rotary started the July 4 Family Picnic and Fireworks event, community donations paid for expenses. A weak economy last year resulted in reduced donations, forcing the club to dip into its July 4 reserves and, with donations light again this year, club leadership at presstime expressed concern about Rotary’s ability to continue its fireworks sponsorship.

Anyone wishing to donate to this year’s event may send a check to Ramona Rotary Club, P.O. box 276, Ramona, CA 92065. Donors are asked to include their name, address and telephone number if it is not on the check.

Donations to the I Sponsored A Spark campaign at Ramona businesses also are appreciated.