Booming sounds from South Hill will be the all-clear signal for the 50th annual Ithaca Community Fireworks Show set for Thursday night, July 3. Beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday, an aerial salute that can be heard for miles around will be fired every hour on the hour by fireworks technicians as a reminder that the show is a "go." If weather conditions for the night of July 3 are not favorable, area radio stations will carry an announcement of the rain date, which is July 5.
Fran Benedict, chairman of the volunteer committee that organizes the annual shows, said, "We're about $10,000 short of our fund-raising goal. We need $30,000 and are still hopeful that area residents who want to see this community tradition kept alive will chip in before and after the show."
Benedict said American Fireworks Manufacturing Co. of Ithaca and Utica plans an aerial display that will begin about 9:45 p.m.
"Once again, Ithaca College has opened up its campus parking lots, fields and facilities for the annual fireworks show, which will be visible from various points surrounding Ithaca," Benedict said. "Spectators -- even VIPs -- should arrive early to avoid traffic congestion, which hits its peak at about 7:30 p.m. Better yet, take the TCAT bus, which is offering a special 50-cent fare from downtown to Ithaca College."
Shuttle buses will depart every 10 minutes from the Green Street shelter near Woolworth's Department Store beginning at 6 p.m. They will return after the fireworks show, departing from the flagpole circle in front of Textor Hall at Ithaca College.
Motorists are reminded that there is no parking on state and county highways, especially on routes 13 and 96B. Police and public safety officials will help direct traffic, and firefighters from the Ithaca Fire Department will be on standby.
Members of the Ithaca Sertoma Club will be on South Hill to seek donations from the public, Benedict said.
"I can't stress enough the importance of donations to support this annual event. A volunteer committee organizes the show, and the show belongs to the community, but we can't guarantee future shows without donations," Benedict said.
"We're trying to build a reserve for future shows, including another special show in the year 2000. Just $1 from each person who watches the show -- whether it's from South Hill or surrounding hillsides, parks and backyards -- would cover the cost of this year's show," he said.
Individual, group and business donations can be sent to the attention of Benedict at the Ithaca Commons office of the Tompkins County Trust Co.
Radio stations Lite 97 FM and Q-Country will broadcast live from the fireworks show, which includes a "sky concert."