The Henderson City Commission will review the possibility of sponsoring the annual downtown Independence Day fireworks display.
Clay Gillham, the president of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, asked the commission for financial help at Tuesday’s regular meeting. She said the cost of the fireworks display has increased in recent years.
Last year, the chamber asked for $9,000 to fund the event, but this year, costs have increased, and Gillham asked for $10,000 to help cover it.
Additionally, past fireworks displays were funded by presenting sponsors, and so far this year, no businesses have approached the chamber to take on this main sponsorship.
The title sponsorship has been available for some time, but no businesses have taken it on, said Kelsey Hargis, the chair of the chamber’s Downtown Committee who presented with Gillham.
The cost for the entire Independence Day celebration has doubled since COVID, Hargis said.
The cost for only the fireworks last year was $15,000, Gillham said, adding she is expecting increased costs could require the chamber to put on a smaller show.
Commissioner Robert Pruitt said other cities fund Independence Day fireworks displays and a local fireworks celebration is something the city should do for children.
“I would like to fund it all,” he said. “I think the city of Henderson should put on the fireworks.”
Commissioner Austin Vowels suggested that the city could be a presenting sponsor, or it could be sponsored by both the city and county governments.
Mayor Brad Staton said the city wants to help and will provide a response to the chamber before the end of May.
In other news, the city commission:
- approved the purchase of two buses for HART at $139,276.00 each plus one wheelchair accessible van at $76,168.00. Assistant City Manager Dylan Ward said the vehicles are expected to be 100% federally funded.
- approved the purchase of a commercial kitchen for the concession area of the athletic complex being constructed on Airline Road. The cost is $50,461, Ward said.
