July Fourth Fireworks Show Saved

A grass roots effort has saved the July Fourth fireworks show at Lake Union in Seattle.

One Reel, the group that organizes the Lake Union event, said Wednesday that it had not found a corporate sponsor to fund the 2010 show. The group said if they show would go on, they would need $500,000 by Monday.

Within 24 hours restaurateur and chef Tom Douglas along with KIRO FM’s Dave Ross began an effort to save the fireworks. Douglas pledged $5,000 and urged other business leaders to come forward to save the show.

Dozens of businesses answered the call and pledged at least $1,000 toward the fireworks display. By 5 pm. Thursday, $80,000 was raised and then Starbucks and Microsoft also joined the effort and gave $125,000 each.

A few hours later, Paul Allen’s company, Vulcan, contributed $50,000 to the cause launching the total pledges to $432,000.

Donations continued Friday morning and just before 9 a.m., Bill Pettit of Merrill Gardens, called in KIRO radio and said he would pay the remaining balance.

See who donated at KIRO Radio's Web site, MyNorthwest.com.

One Reel board member Tomoko Moriguchi Matsuno, said the nonprofit looked for 15 months for a new sponsor.

Seattle-based bank Washington Mutual had been the sponsor of the show for eight years before it collapsed in 2008.

Chase, which absorbed Washington Mutual, agreed to sponsor the show for one year.

Matsuno said One Reel will continue to look for a sponsor for 2011.

Seattle's other major fireworks show -- sponsored by the restaurant chain Ivar's -- folded in 2009 due to costs.

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