Karen Hardy, Ron Bordeleau and Annette Star are going back to businesses this week in their efforts to raise funds for this year’s Canada Day fireworks display. Donations have fallen off significantly, leaving them down about $15,000 this year, and Star believes it’s because of the economic impact of the floods in May. Fireworks have to be paid for in advance and the volunteers are hoping businesses and individuals will contribute. The display, in its 23rd year, is one of the best in Canada. (Richard McGuire file photo)

Donations to this year’s July 1 fireworks display have fallen off sharply and organizers of the hugely popular Canada Day event are getting concerned.

“I think it’s probably because of the flooding,” said Annette Star, who heads up fundraising for the event along with Karen Hardy and Ron Bordeleau.

“People are not donating as much because they’re having to pay for repairs and stuff,” Star added, noting that some hotels that usually contribute have been especially hard hit by the fall in tourism during the floods in May.

“It’s super slow coming in,” she said. “We’re down about $15,000 right now.”

This year marks the 23rd year that Osoyoos has held its Canada Day fireworks display and the event over Osoyoos Lake draws people from throughout the Okanagan Valley, the United States and from communities to the east and west.

This year is also the 70th anniversary of Cherry Fiesta, which was previously known as Cherry Carnival.

“This brings a lot of traffic to Osoyoos for Cherry Fiesta,” said Star. “They come from all over as you can tell from the traffic at the end. They don’t just come for the fireworks. They spend money at the stores, the restaurants and the bars. So it does help Osoyoos.”

An estimated 30,000 to 35,000 people usually attend the display, Star says.

Part of the problem may simply be that people wait until the last minute to donate, said Star. But some businesses have reduced the amounts they are donating, and some have cut their donations entirely.

This week, the fundraising committee is launching a new push, calling on businesses, and also asking individuals to donate.

The problem, Star said, is that the fireworks committee must buy the fireworks in advance and hope that the money comes in to meet the budget.

And Star fears that she may personally be left on the hook until funds can be raised later if there isn’t a pickup in donations soon.

“Right now, it’s not looking too great,” she said. “We’re busting our butts and some of the big ones haven’t come in yet… We’re getting to the crunch time here.”

Star points out that individuals who donate can get a charitable donation receipt for tax purposes. People can drop off donations at the town hall or contact the organizing committee directly.

The Osoyoos display typically costs around $45,000 just for supplies. This doesn’t include the volunteer hours contributed by Franks Zandvliet, the town employee and pyrotechnical wizard, and his crew of volunteers.

Star said donations in the past have ranged anywhere from $20 to $5,000 and any donation is welcome as even small ones add up.

Individuals can contribute at collection jars at many businesses, including big canisters that once contained fireworks at Home Hardware, Buy-Low Foods and AG Foods. People can also donate at the town hall.

Star said she’s now able to accept email fund transfers.

She also invites people to contact her directly at 250-495-6227.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times