in other words/classified ads
Community… A Continued Series on Celebrations
By Jill Hult
You may recall a couple of ar-
ticles several months ago that were a
part of a series focusing on the “big six”
events that happen in Vernonia through-
out the year. The events are: The 4 th of
July Great American Bash, Vernonia
Friendship Jamboree and Logging Show,
Community Garage Sale, St. Mary’s
Quilt Fair, Salmon Festival, and the
Spirit of Christmas. Each of these events
gives us the opportunity to come togeth-
er in appreciation and celebration of our
community but they also draw visitors
to experience our community as well.
The first two articles covered Vernonia
Friendship Jamboree and the Spirit of
Christmas including the Christmas Ba-
zaar. This article appropriately focuses
on the 4 th of July Great American Bash.
There is no doubt that all of
these events require the hard work and
dedication of volunteers to bring them
to life and make them a success for all
to share. The 4 th of July is no exception
and we are fortunate in our small town
to have a fireworks show as many com-
munities, even larger than ours, have
discontinued theirs. We are also fortu-
nate to have more than just fireworks.
Since 2009 the current Great American
Bash has been bringing us a parade and
a music concert thanks to volunteers and
cooperation.
The festivities begin with a pa-
rade that is open for anyone to partici-
pate in and is free to enter. The concert
is brought to us by Vernonia Prevention
Coalition (VPC) grant funds overseen
by VPC Director Deanna Pearl. The
concert costs approximately $6,500. The
grant is possible because this event is
part of the VPC mission to bring family-
oriented events to the community that
is alcohol, tobacco, and other drug free.
Deanna Pearl said, “The very essence
of the VPC mission is to develop safe
and healthy neighborhoods through col-
laborative planning, community action,
policy advocacy, and enforcement. This
day is about supporting family-friendly
events in safe and healthy neighbor-
hoods.” There are two volunteers who
organize the concert and prepare the
grounds but Pearl needs about five more
volunteers to help “man” the ticket gate
and tear down after the show.
I asked Pearl what the biggest
challenge the event has faced or still fac-
es. She said, “The first year, the biggest
challenge was the organization of the
event itself, mainly finding performers.
This year, due to popular demand, Jesse
Cain will come again from Nashville
with his band to perform. He is always
gracious and gives a great show. Last
year, his band was pleasantly surprised
by the whole day and were looking for-
ward to coming back this year.”
Pearl would also love to increase
the variety of activities for kids to do
during the event, however; that would
take separate funding or sponsorship. It
may also require additional volunteers to
help out.
The day is also an opportunity
for other organizations to use as a fund-
raising opportunity. The VPC utilizes
the gate fee to support youth and family
friendly programs. The Booster Snack
Shack will be open to feed the masses
and others will be there such as the Ver-
nonia Volunteer Ambulance Associa-
tion, to provide snacks, games, and fun!
The Spirit of Christmas Volunteer group
will be selling cotton candy in order to
buy new lights to decorate downtown
during the holidays. For the past three
years, the VPC has hired youth groups to
take care of the garbage and recycling as
a fundraiser. This year, the VHS junior
class will have the honor of this money-
making opportunity.
So what about the awesome
fireworks? Do you know that it costs
approximately $5000 to put on Verno-
nia’s fantastic display of sky-bursting
color? Not to mention the dedication of
the licensed pyrotechnic Loren Loomis
and the other Volunteer Vernonia Rural
Fire Protection District crew. There are a
lot of things to consider other than what
impressive fireworks to buy to make the
Classified Ad Rates
$5/month
Rideshare/Carpool Ads FREE
show safe and spectacular. The Fire De-
partment is required to fill out paperwork
from the ATF for each firefighter they
have at the launch site plus a licensed
pyrotechnic. They also have to have a
400 foot security barrier and perimeter
that deters people from getting too close
to the launching site.
As many of you may know, it is
the community of Vernonia that raises
most of the funds for the fireworks. The
fundraising starts early as donations are
accepted at the event itself in anticipa-
tion for the next year. Then, by March of
every year you will find donation cans
set out on nearly every business coun-
ter in town asking for donations. This
year, the Ambulance Association and the
VRFPD pledged to match up to $1,000
of donations. The donation cans have
raised approximately $800 at last count
and the Vernonia Boosters also donated
$500. This means the community has
raised $1300 since March! Not to worry
though, at last year’s event a whopping
$2000 was collected for a grand total of
$5300 so far. The Vernonia community
can be proud to know that every year we
help make this show possible with your
donations.
june20
2013
21
The organizers are planning on
between 850 -1200 people attending the
event. Most come through the gates to be
a part of the concert, while others wait
until dark to see the magnificent fire-
work display.
I asked Pearl if there was any-
thing else she would like to add. She said,
“For the last four years, I have received
numerous thank you’s, well wishes, and
comments on how safe the event is and
how nice it is to be able to let their kids
run around without the worry of second-
hand smoke, burning cigarettes, drunken
fights, or open containers.”
This event is volunteer driven
and could not happen without the sup-
port of the community. What a great day
to spend with your family in an environ-
ment where youth can make safe and
healthy choices to reach their full poten-
tial.
If you are interested in volunteering for
the 4 th of July festivities, please contact
the event organizers at vernoina4thofju-
ly@googlegroups.com. Planning for
this event officially starts in January, but
it is never too late to get involved!
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