The Osoyoos Fireworks Committee will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015. The two women in charge of fundraising, Etta-Mae Pratt (left) and Annette Star, have already started visiting local businesses asking them to donate so Osoyoos residents and thousands of visitors can continue to enjoy the second-largest Canada Day fireworks celebrations in the country on July 1. (Keith Lacey photo)
There’s a long list of what makes Osoyoos special, but to many locals and visitors alike, the annual Canada Day fireworks display would rank right near the top of any list.
The two ladies who head up fundraising with the Osoyoos Fireworks Committee will once again, for the third-consecutive year, be reaching out to all local business owners and residents over the next eight weeks to try and raise the money needed to put on this year’s event on July 1.
It just so happens that this year’s event marks the 20th anniversary of the Canada Day Osoyoos fireworks, said Annette Star, who along with her sister-in-law Etta-Mae Pratt, have already started fundraising for the 2015 event.
“It’s hard to believe it has been 20 years already,” said Star. “We don’t have anything different planned to celebrate 20 years except to hopefully raise more money than ever to put on another great show.”
The two ladies split the list of local businesses in half and visit each one at least once asking for donations for the Osoyoos fireworks.
“We just ask that each donate what they can,” she said.
Pratt said she and Star having been doing this long enough that most business owners in town know who they are and are more than willing to help out.
They took over after Frank Zandvliet, the man who is still in charge of purchasing and setting off the fireworks over Osoyoos Lake on Canada Day, stepped down from the fundraising responsibilities three years ago.
“It is that time of year when we ask for your assistance to help us raise enough funds to do a bigger and better show,” said Star. “Every cent that is donated goes towards the purchase of the fireworks. We all volunteer our time to make this happen.
“We will accept any donations, no matter how small, as it all adds up. For those of you who are able to donate $1,000 or over, you will receive free radio and paper advertisements. With any donation over $2,000, you not only receive the free advertising, but you can also choose a song to be played the night of the fireworks and watch your song light up the Osoyoos sky.”
Members of the public who want to make donations, can do so at town hall or mail them to Osoyoos Fireworks, 17417 87 Street, Osoyoos, B.C., V0H 1V2.
Star and Pratt have again organized a community garage sale at the Osoyoos Elks Hall. This year’s fundraiser takes place on Saturday, May 30 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.. Donations can be dropped off the night before at the hall. A bottle drive will also take place all day on May 30.
A fundraising Valentine’s Day Dance was also a huge success this year as the Elks Hall was sold out and helped raise close to $2,000 for the fireworks committee.
Star said the first cheque of $10,000 has already been sent and another cheque for more than $20,000 will be sent before the end of May, so it’s important that as much money be raised as soon as possible.
“We would like to thank all of the business owners and people in town who support the fireworks,” said Star.
If you have any donations or bottles for the garage sale, drop them off at the Elks Hall on Friday, May 29 from noon until 6 p.m.
Anyone wanting more information, can contact Star at 250-495-6227.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
