Kingston fireworks trigger big sponsorship

Published 10:00 am Saturday, June 17, 2006

KINGSTON — Every year, the Kingston Fireworks Fund struggles to light the fuse for the big show.

And more often than not, it takes a big last-minute burst to bring in enough money to set the show off over Apple Tree Cove.

This year, however, the fund is getting a helping matchstick from its neighbors to the north as the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and Point No Point Casino have donated $11,000 to the cause. The pledge effectively covers the fireworks portion of Kingston’s Fourth.

“We’ve contributed in the past to the fireworks show,” said Chairman of the Tribal Council Ron Charles. “We know how much residents in North Kitsap enjoy that show. We like to support that.”

“We wanted to get more involved in communities around here,” said Dawn Purser, who works in the marketing department of the Point No Point Casino, noting that the donation was a great way to give back to the community.

While the fireworks are covered, the rest of the Fourth of July celebration is not. Pete DeBoer, Kiwanis member and one of the organizers of the event, stressed that there is still quite a bit of money needed for the annual Kingston celebration to go off without a hitch.

“We still need about $14,000 for music, food, vendors,” DeBoer said. “The next few weeks, we’ll be knocking on doors, trying to find it.”

DeBoer cautioned locals not to relax, even with the extra money donated for fireworks. If everyone in Kingston gives a little, he said, then the event should be in good shape.

However, fund-raising efforts are in full swing, and DeBoer said they will continue on the arc until the Fourth has enough funds to be spectacular.

Grand total, the Fourth festival takes about $35,000 to run.

“We still need to rent the barge the fireworks go on,” DeBoer said. “That’s about $3,000.”

If the money isn’t raised, other attractions to the annual event will be cut from the festivities, he said, adding that he first to go would be the bands and music.

Donation jars have been placed at the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, in the Kingston Community Center, the Kingston Thriftway, Harbor Hair and the liquor store. The annual Kingston Fourth of July buttons are also on sale in businesses in Kingston for $2, and hats will also be sold for $12 at selected businesses.

“The fireworks are definitely happening this year,” DeBoer said, noting that the rest of the Kingston Fourth should as well. “It all comes together because great people in Kingston know what to do.”