Taft’s firework show will go on as planned this Saturday at 9 p.m. at Franklin Field, despite worries to the contrary. However, other Californian cities are not as lucky.
Due to the economic hard time California has encountered, many towns and cities have cancelled their firework shows. Lake Elsinore and Banning are just two on the list. San Jose has cancelled its America Festival and evening display that once stretched over a half mile of Highway 87.
In Los Angeles County, Montebello, a suburb, voted to donate the $39,000 normally used on its firework show to local food banks, according to the Los Angeles Times.
California is not the only state cancelling Independence Day events. All over the nation, communities are scaling back to save money. In Punta Gorda, FL, residents had decided to cut back on the firework show, and instead have community games and events that cost little to nothing.
Next year, there is a chance Taft will be moving the firework show to the Taft Union High School stadium and may be charging a small fee, in order to have a show at all. If it had not been for the donations of dedicated Taft residents,
there would be no firework show this year.
Some of those benefactors are Bob Hampton of Westside Waste Management, United Security Bank, McKittrick Waste Management, Joyce Properties, Kelly Black, Chevron, Area Energy LLC, The City of Taft and Elk Hills Power.
“There are no formal activities being put on by The Taft Chamber,” said Randy Miller, “We are only putting on the fireworks.” However, the public is more than welcome to bring their lawn chairs, and have a good time. Also, there have been people approved to collect money for a 50/50 drawing to support the cost of next
years show.
The firework show will take place at Franklin Field from 9pm until 10pm, or until the fireworks are gone. The community is encouraged to come out and enjoy, but to be sure to clean up after themselves. Also, donations are being accepted to offset costs at the Chamber building on Kern St.