Local residents are encouraged to attend the events scheduled for Friday in Hanford and Lemoore marking the anniversary of our nation's independence. Hanford's 55th annual fireworks celebration will be held Friday evening at Neighbor Bowl at Hanford High School. The event is free to the public and will have a variety of supplements to the fireworks display.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., concession stands will open, games will start and bounce houses will open. Just before 9 p.m., the program will begin with recognition of the donors and a planned flyover. At dusk, Janelle Sumilong -- who led Hamilton School students in raising $507 to help save the fireworks -- will push the button to begin the display.

"It will be an absolutely fantastic fireworks display," said Wayne Kuhn, chairman of the "Save the Fireworks" Committee.

The show comes as a triumph during times of economic uncertainty. Hanford Rotary announced in January that this year's fireworks were canceled because the club could no longer take on the rising costs. Shortly after, the "Save the Fireworks" Committee was formed, which solicited donations from nearly 70 local sponsors.

"The fireworks are a real emotional experience for a lot of people including myself," Kuhn said. "It is [annually] a real positive, patriotic experience. The community really pulled together this year to make it happen."

For the show's first 25 years, Bill Banister and Don Craft led the organization and the fireworks. Their sons, Charles Craft and Steve Banister, were recruited to assist. The first show was estimated to cost $500. This year, the fireworks display alone cost $25,000, in addition to a variety of other costs, Kuhn said.

"Hanford did an amazing job stepping up to the plate to save the Fourth of July," said Jena Maciel, a member of the "Save the Fireworks" Committee. She added that this year's show will include every component of previous years, as well as additions and improvements. "With gas prices the way they are, why go out of town? We have all the fun stuff right here."

Donations to save this year's show came in large amounts from Valley Toyota, GWF Power Systems, the City of Hanford, the Rotary Club of Hanford, the Breakfast Lions Club, the Armona Volunteer Fire Department, Soroptimist International of Hanford and several other local organizations and families.

Marcie Buford, a Hanford City Council member and a "Save the Fireworks" Committee member, said the fireworks show is "probably the most popular family entertainment" Hanford has ever done. Buford added that she loves the fireworks and would hate to see the event vanish.

"It's part of our community," Buford said.

No coolers and no alcohol may be carried into Neighbor Bowl on Friday, because it is a family event and support of the concession stands will help fund next year's show, Kuhn said. Donations toward next year's show will be encouraged at the gate.

Earlier on Friday, in Lemoore, the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the third annual Red, White and Blue Parade. The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at Heinlen and D streets.

Prior to the parade, Lemoore's cheerleaders will provide breakfast in Lemoore City Park at 7 a.m. Children are invited to "chalk-in" on the sidewalk at 7:30 a.m.

Following the parade, music, games, activities, hypnotisms and a pie-eating contest will be held at City Park. At noon, Lemoore NAS will cut the cake marking the nation's birthday. For more information on the Lemoore events, call 924-6767.

And on Friday evening, the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino presents its Fourth of July extravaganza. The free event includes a concert by 1970s Latin-funk-rock-jazz and R&B band War, along with music by local bands.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(July 1, 2008)