Alva Rotary asks for fireworks funding; tourism committee tables decision

Representatives of the Alva Rotary Club described plans for a scaled Fourth of July fireworks show in Alva and requested financial support; the Alva Tourism Committee voted to table the request until its next meeting.

Jesse, speaking for the Rotary, said the club has run fireworks for more than 15 years and that current costs for the show and delivery are about $12,050. He said Rotary would fundraise but warned that hiring an outside pyrotechnics company would add roughly $2,500 to the expense if local licensed operators are not available. “This is an expensive hobby,” Jesse said, and Rotary is prepared to scale the show but needs financial support to continue providing it.

Committee members discussed whether the expense qualifies as a tourism activity and whether city insurance or city procurement practices should be used, given liability and contracting considerations. One committee member noted that tourism funds historically paid for the fireworks in past years and that the tourism bed-tax revenue is collected from hotels; another said the event’s tourism draw has diminished since larger, multi-event Fourth of July schedules and the COVID-19 period.

After discussion, the committee moved and seconded to table the Rotary’s funding request until the next meeting so additional members could weigh in and the committee could review budget details. The motion to table passed on a recorded voice vote.

The Rotary representative said the club remains willing to sponsor and organize the event and will provide additional information on licensing and precise costs if the committee requests it.