Eastsound 4th of July Fireworks is Definitely On!!

By Lance Evans
Executive Director,
Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is thrilled to announce that we will have a Fireworks Show in Eastsound on Sunday, July 4 at 10 pm!

Eastsound and Waterfront Park will once again be the place to be.  The Orcas Island Community Band will perform from 9:15 pm to approximately 10 pm … when the sky above Eastsound will be aglow with a pyrotechnical display!

As most islanders know, it has been a long and labored effort to try and put our fireworks show back in place.  The Chamber of Commerce has worked hard to bring it about, and we owe a real debt of gratitude to a great many people, including the following individuals who worked with us to make it happen:

• Michael Rivkin of Crow Valley Pottery
• Wally Gudgell of Windermere
• Paul Wilcox of Waterfront Construction
• Senator Kevin Ranker
• Orcas Fire Chief Mike Harris
• Steve Thornton of Eagle Fireworks

Although the Chamber had the luxury for many years of shooting the Eastsound show from Indian Island, we were required to move to a barge in 2009.  The difficulty of water-based fireworks shows adds a complexity to a show for all parties involved.  As a result, our costs to put on this year’s show has nearly tripled our usual budget.

We will have our donation cans available at Island Market (and other locations) for a brief period of time after the show, and appreciate every dollar collected.  However, if you are able to make a more substantial donation, please contact the Chamber to learn how to make a tax-deductible charitable contribution to the Orcas Island Community Foundation (www.oicf.us) in support of this community event.  We are extremely pleased that the Community Foundation is able accept larger donations for our fireworks show.  Please feel free to contact the Chamber for more details.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, we hope you enjoy the show!

Lance & Terri