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jennifer scott wrote: I also love the idea of reviving Lakewood Days, one of my favorite childhood memories.
Jennifer
Agreed! We must bring back Lakewood Days. Maybe this could be underwritten by The Observer?
As for charging outsiders, I have to agree. If we are tightening our belts and cutting corners at City Hall, than we either must charge, and/or control.
peace
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident
"The very act of observing disturbs the system." Werner Heisenberg
"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it." His Holiness The Dalai Lama
How about doing all the above, aka Lakewood Days, rib burn off, wing burn off, best foods, bands, on and on ..PLUS ...get someone to DONATE the fireworks? Maybe it would give someone a 30K write-off for some promo...ie: Cedar Point or whoever. At least it couldn't hurt to ask a few companies with possibly some NOMINAL ticket type thing with money going to feed people in our city etc?
Just a thought ..or half a thought...or a quarter of a thought ..hmmmm..
Cancel the fireworks but don't tell anybody outside of Lakewood. It will be our little secret.
Have them all come and see how long they'll sit there.
Seriously, me and my family love Lakewood's fireworks display as much if not more than anybody. (Heck, I proposed to my then girlfriend during a July 4 fireworks show seven years ago). I would like them replaced - money saved - and focus us on a Lakewood Days fair.
Does the city generate any revenue at the park on the 4th of July? Concession stand, vendor fees and etc?
No. I mean there are some sales from the concession stands that are probably greater than a normal summer night, but you'd have to sell one helluva lot of dove bars to clear 36K. While I don't know for sure, I would be willing to bet that the money the Rec Dept. makes on the concession stands just about pays for the kids they hire to run them.
Plus there's the next day clean up of all the picnic debris, the added police, etc.
Now, if we had an entrance gate, and non-residents had to pay a fee for admittance, and parking, that would be a different story!
Jeff
The question was ..... Does the city generate any revenue at the park on the 4th of July? I was not suggesting that the revenue from the concession stand would or could offset the expense of the fireworks.. Thanks
I guess my family is in the minority. We love everything about the 4th. The fireworks here are the best we have ever experienced. It is by far my children's' favorite day in Lakewood, I'd be sad to see the fireworks go, but I do think it would be nice if we could find a civic group to help offset the cost.
I don't think you are in the minority at all (for the city) and I totally agree. I was hoping this thread would just die but I agree that although it would be nice to have the costs underwritten by sponsors, it is well worth the cost without that support. And the unwelcome to Lakewood tone in many posts to me was off putting. As Lynn said this should be a marketing opportunity for the city. The fourth of July in Lakewood is all about the community coming together and to me has always celebrated the best of the American spirit. At the fireworks last year I ran into and shared the fireworks with a few of my fellow Lakewoodites, including a member of council who I assume lives in the city.
Every year we have a neighborhood party, joined by family and friends from outside of Lakewood, and everyone enjoys what more often than not is a perfect day. Fireworks at Lakewood Park are a luxury I think most people in the community really appreciate.
..... Does the city generate any revenue at the park on the 4th of July? I was not suggesting that the revenue from the concession stand would or could offset the expense of the fireworks.. Thanks