The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

June 1, 2009

Fireworks reignited

Group plans to raise funds for Fourth of July show in Mankato

By Dan Linehan

MANKATO — Mankato’s Fourth of July fireworks display is back on after a group of local radio stations announced it will continue the tradition.

“We are going to produce the fireworks and we are going to present the event, but our first mission is to look at raising funds,” said Jo Guck Bailey, vice president and general manager of Minnesota Valley Broadcasting/Radio Mankato.

The group, which owns seven local radio stations, said it plans to raise at least $15,000 for the event.

Greater Mankato Growth, a chamber of commerce and economic development group, has typically solicited business contributions for the fireworks. But contributions have declined in recent years, and Greater Mankato Growth had to use $4,600 of its own money last year.

In a letter last week, Greater Mankato Growth told the Mankato City Council it would no longer put on the event.

Mayor John Brady suggested that the lack of a high-profile event like the fireworks would remind the public that local governments are cutting services.

But Bailey said the radio stations have helped put the fireworks to music in the past and decided to step up this year.

“It’s a tradition in Mankato. We didn’t want to see it die,” she said.

Fundraising details haven’t yet been nailed down, but she said more events are planned.

She didn’t say what would happen if the money was not raised in time.

“The goal is the fireworks will go on and we’re gonna make it happen,” she said.

People can keep track of progress at one of the station’s Web sites, www.967kdog.com or www.minnesota93.com, or by listening to the radio. The AM stations are KTOE and KYSM, and the FMs are KXLP, KATO, KDOG, KXAC and KRRW.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News