Doing a bang-up job for charities
July 3 fireworks spectacular is back this year, and it could mean organizations net at least $100,000
In 2019, the Big Bang on the Bay fireworks party raised $100,347 for Children Today and other Long Beach charities benefiting children.
But last year, there was no Big Bang on the Bay because of the coronavirus pandemic. And no money for charity.
This year, however, the Independence Day pyrotechnic party is on
— and so is the chance to raise money for nonprofits. The event is the day before Fourth of July.
“It’s so exciting to be the first big event back,” said Heather
Moro, a Children Today board member and cochair of the Big Bang committee. “We need it. Especially this year.
We haven’t been able to fundraise for a year and a half.”
Children Today provides child development and family support services to those who are homeless or have other financial and emotional issues. Four other charities will benefit this year — the Press-Telegram’s Send-A-Kid-To-Camp pro
gram, the ASK Foundation, Grounded Education and The Autism Partnership Foundation.
The ASK Foundation is a grassroots group started by former City Councilman Mike Donelon to advocate for skateparks and to provide activities for at-risk children. Grounded Education partners with Long Beach schools to provide garden and environmental awareness, and The Autism Partnership Foundation develops treatments for autistic children.
“Big Bang on the Bay has become a premier Long Beach family event giving back to local charities,” Donelon said. “ASK Foundation is honored to be a beneficiary for the past seven years with other deserving charities.”
The Send-A-Kid-To-Camp program was started by the late Tom Hennessy, a longtime Press-Telegram columnist, and Jean Bixby Smith, chair emeritus of the Long Beach Community Foundation. The Community Foundation handles the camp fund.
John Morris, general manager of Boathouse on the Bay and a longtime restaurateur in Long Beach, first organized the Big Bang a decade ago, after a successful event marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The event grew each year until it was cancelled last year.
“Kids are our future, and we need to do anything we can to help them,” Morris said in a recent Press-Telegram story. “I was once a needy kid, and I totally relate to these kids now.”
It isn’t cheap to put on a big fireworks show and all the connected events. Moro estimated the cost at $85,000, and said it would have been more if Curtin Maritime hadn’t donated use of the fireworks barge and the tug boat to put it in place.
“We’re including as many partners as we can,” Moro said. “This is going to be the biggest Bang yet.
“We’re inviting people to be a friend of the event, and write a check, be a sponsor,” Moro added. “People having parties, businesses benefiting; it would be great if they participate.”
Activities begin with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. July 3, along the road leading to Marine Bureau headquarters next to Alamitos Bay Landing. The street party cranks up at 6 p.m. with music, dancing and a barbecue dinner catered by Naples Rib Co.
A sailing regatta will race into the bay, spinnakers flying, shortly before 7 p.m. The national anthem will signal the beginning of the formal show, followed by a boat parade, a flyover of vintage airplanes and potentially a visit from skydivers. The fireworks reach for the sky at 9 p.m.
To help defray costs, or to donate to the charities, go to weblink.donor perfect.com/bbotb. For tickets to the street party, which cost $50 or $30 for children younger than 10, go to boathouseonthebay. com/big-bang. Contact individual restaurants for restaurant reservations.