How important is the Fourth of July fireworks display to Cody?
More importantly, where will the $50,000 it costs to put on the show come from?
That last question is the major issue the newly formed Cody Fireworks Committee needs to answer.
The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce had been sponsoring the fireworks with additional funding from individuals in the community, but last year the chamber incurred a tremendous loss on the event, said chamber director Tina Hoebelheinrich, and turned the fireworks over to the new committee.
Two weeks ago, the fireworks group asked the Park County Travel Council for $5,000. After some disagreement among travel council members, $2,500 was awarded to the group.
We’re not convinced the committee should have been given any money from the Park County Travel Council.
While we wholeheartedly agree the fireworks show is a marvelous event that is enjoyed by the community and tourists, we don’t believe it is the travel council’s responsibility to provide funding for the event.
The Park County Travel Council was created to administer the lodging tax. The purpose of the tax is to raise money to encourage tourists to spend a few nights in Cody and thus spend money on attractions, restaurants, lodging and retail. Facetiously the purpose is often referred to as “put heads on beds.”
If people are in town for the Cody Stampede, they are probably going to spend the night here anyway since the rodeo on July 4 is in the evening.
We agree with travel council board member Rick Hoeninghausen, who said tourists are already in town for the rodeo and the tourism dollars would be better used on events to attract visitors at other less busy times of the year.
We like the suggestion that a KickStarter or GoFundMe fundraiser could be launched to give locals an opportunity to participate in the fireworks effort.
Even though we don’t believe Park County Travel Council dollars should go towards funding the show, we value the fireworks display and would hate to see it end.
John Malmberg
(2) comments
The Travel Council are the same fools who brought you the little "huts" rammed up against the log walls of the Chamber, so I distrust anything they would decide to buy or sponsor.... I have yet to see anyone in those huts. Pitiful... Thanks Newsome and crowd... Pitiful...
Just keep in mind that the towns of Powell and Byron down the US 14A highway always have really good fireworks shows bought and paid for every year.
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