Last but not least
Calipatria fireworks show draws a crowd
CALIPATRIA — City Manager Rom Medina remarked earlier this week that Saturday’s fireworks would be the largest display in Calipatria’s history.
While Brawley resident Rosemarie Lopez believed that the display was “maybe a little less,” she did notice there were more services available for attendees than at any of the city’s past Independence Day celebrations, which have been held off and on since the 1950s.
Lopez, who has been attending the event for more than 50 years, said she believed this year’s display was the result of the city’s having less of a budget to put on the show, as announced during the June 25 City Council meeting.
At the time, a shortage of funds had initially prompted city officials to announce the event’s cancellation.
Then an outpouring of support from the Imperial County Farm Bureau and the surrounding farming community ensured
the festivities would continue as planned.
Organizers also had encountered challenges securing a pyrotechnic company for a July 4 event, so settled on holding the event on Saturday instead.
Despite the last-minute changes of plans, hundreds still gathered around Cliff Hatfield Memorial Airport to see the fireworks display.
Lopez noted that it was her first time seeing portable restrooms and trash cans set out for visitors to use.
Vendors and live entertainment were set up at the intersection of West Main Street and South International Avenue prior to the 9 p.m. firework show.
Lopez and her husband said they didn’t mind the event was two days after Fourth of July, and they still made it a point to bring their two grandkids.
She said she most enjoyed that the show gives the audience an up-close-and-personal feel, as the pyrotechnics can be seen fairly clearly through the airport’s fencing.
“It’s always a joy to come out and see these fireworks,” she said.
This year’s show was made possible through a combined effort of the ICFB, various sponsors, the Calipatria Chamber of Commerce and the Calipatria Lions Club.
Both the city’s chamber and Lions Club were newly formed this year.
The re-creation of the Chamber of Commerce, which had been disbanded the past two years, was the result of the momentum brought upon by the city’s centennial celebration in March, President George Prieto explained.
In previous years, the chamber put on an annual Independence Day celebration, which accompanied the fireworks display and provided additional activities for guests such as the crowning of Fourth of July royalty.
Prieto said the Chamber will work to once again provide those festivities, as well as have the pyrotechnic show on July 4 next year.
“They want to see a change. Calipat needs this,” Prieto said. “It’s good for Calipat.”