Fireworks will go on, despite money problems

Carson City's annual fireworks show will go on, despite a shortage of funds.

Janice Ayres said the 11th annual RSVP Fourth of July Calvacade of Spectaculars fireworks show in Mills Park will go on, despite being $5,000 short.

Ayres said the show costs $12,000 to put on, but sources of funding have been tight, with only a handful of major sponsors stepping forward.

Three major sponsors -- Greater Nevada Credit Union, Atlantis Casino and Sierra Truss Co. -- are responsible for the lion's share of the donations this year.

The credit union, which once fully funded the show, gave $5,000. The Atlantis and Sierra Truss each gave $1,000.

Other donations included Nevada National Bank with $250, Alpine Insurance with $125 and $125 from two families.

"The bottom line is that we are about $5,000 short," she said. "We are still hoping somebody will step forward."

Ayres said it really isn't an option to cancel the fireworks show.

"If we didn't do the fireworks, nobody would do them," she said. "People are smart. If you skip a year then they will say Carson City doesn't have fireworks, and they won't come back."

The fireworks show is just part of the senior program's Fourth celebration, which begins on Thursday with a carnival and continues through Sunday.

Ayres said, "We do it to raise money for Home Companion Program," which helps keep seniors out of nursing homes.

"We give every dime we make back to this community," she said. "Every person we help keep home saves the taxpayers $80,000."

If you go

What: Fireworks show

Where: Mills Park, Carson City

When: Dusk, Friday

If you go

What: Royal West Amusements Carnival

Where: Mills Park

When: Noon Thursday-Sunday