Upcoming firework show marks a milestone

Published 8:03 am Friday, June 7, 2019

NILES — The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce has been hosting Niles’ Fireworks Spectacular at the Four Flags Apple Festival fairgrounds on Lake Street for more than 30 years. This year, though, is especially meaningful, said membership coordinator Eileen Villanueva.

It is the chamber’s 100th anniversary, and the organization wants to continue to give back to the community that gives to it. Villanueva said the annual fireworks show is a great way to do so.

“I like to talk about this event as a community-unifying event,” she said. “So, the important thing is that this is not only drawing attention to the area, but you’re gathering community members in a celebratory environment, and we’re really just trying to foster goodwill and good community.”

The grounds for the Fireworks Spectacular will open at 6 p.m. on July 3. Once dusk arrives, the approximately 20-minute fireworks show will begin.

While participants wait for the colorful display put on by Great Lakes Fireworks, concessions, elephant ears and glow sticks will all be available for purchase.

The event’s presenting sponsor is the city of Niles. Its $2,500 donation grants the local government’s name in the event’s title.

Villanueva said the chamber revamped its sponsorship structure to better benefit businesses and residents that donate to the event.

In the past, at least one sign showcasing a sponsor was placed on the fairgrounds, depending on the sponsors’ donation size. But the large size of the grounds limited the number of spectators that saw those signs, she said.

“Now we’re structuring it so that there’s going to be one bigger recognition of more sponsors at multiple locations,” Villanueva said. “In the end, you’re getting more traffic when you pass those signs.”

She said sponsorships are necessary for the three-decades-long event to continue because it’s the only way that money is raised.

Another change is an increase in sponsorship costs. Villanueva said this is to reflect the rising inflation and rising pyrotechnic costs. These increases have been occurring for a while, but the chamber has kept prices the same for the past few years, she said.

Teachers Credit Union is one of two businesses to have achieved “gold” sponsorship status, meaning it donated at between $500 and $1,500 to the event.

Sam Karacson, TCU branch manager, said the Niles branch has donated to the event every year. She said it is a way to continue one of its core values.

“TCU’s biggest commitment is giving back to our communities,” she said.

Each TCU employee volunteers at least 16 hours a year in the community, she said.

Karacson herself has helped manage event parking. She said it is not the most fun volunteer position, but she is happy to help. She also gets to see the fireworks.

“We try to find some of the important values in our communities, and I think the fireworks are a big thing the Niles community,” she said. “It hits the whole community.”