COLUMBIANA — A collection of concerned citizens has begun raising funds for Fireworks in Firestone Park. Those interested in donating are invited to visit https://gofund.me/a30ba23e.

All funds raised will help volunteers and organizers secure entertainment, equipment rentals, fees, and other costs associated with holding July Fourth fireworks.

Dave Guy intends to have a portion of funds raised before the next park board meeting at 7 p.m. May 18.

“We are going to go back to them next month and we need to have a majority of that money raised by then,” Guy said.

Encouraging people to think about fireworks early is challenging but according to Guy, if residents are not preparing now it won’t happen.

“We just believe this is something the town wants and if they don’t want it and we are wrong then it [money] will be returned,” he explained.

Along with challenges gaining community support, Guy is sifting through bureaucratic processes such as filing for a non-profit status, setting up a verified account through a local financial institution and maintaining transparency.

President of Fireworks at Firestone, Tim Spiker, has questioned recent changes moving the fireworks to Shakerwoods permanently and believes long held traditions should continue. Columbiana Firestone Park has always been the most popular show in the area, according to Spiker.

“If it’s something that has worked and it’s not broke, why change it,” he remarked. “There has to be an alternative reason.”

Spiker is joined by seven active participants committed to holding an event inside Firestone Park for the Fourth of July. Participants have received sizable donations from several businesses supporting their efforts.

“It’s a way to bring the community together in a place we’ve been together and have been for over 75 years. Fireworks is a way for memories to be created and traditions to be passed on,” Guy recollected.

Guy compared Fourth of July in Firestone Recreational Park as a second Christmas next to the feeling he gets from the annual street fair held on South Main Street.

“The street fair, Christmas and Fourth of July fireworks are important things to people in this town,” he said.

Fireworks at Firestone members appreciate the city’s growth and efforts improving tourism; however, members hold the history and

traditions of Columbiana deeply. Firestone park has been a refuge for locals and a place to hold gatherings for 75 years.

Research completed by both Spiker and Guy shows no increased risk to patrons during the fireworks celebration. Patrons will abide by guidelines indicating the need to be 70 feet away from the display for every inch of a fireworks shells diameter.

“If a 300-foot safety zone has been fine in the past, then why isn’t it fine now,” Spiker asked.

Fireworks at Firestone members are on schedule and continue working toward event planning. Guy has appointed Michael Clark as the group’s treasurer and Bill Welch as secretary.

Those interested in volunteering or making a contribution are invited to interact with Fireworks at Firestone on Facebook. The page has increased from 40 supporters to 150 supporters as more residents endorse holding onto tradition.

“They may not be able to have as big of fireworks out at the park as they can at Shakerwoods but I have attended the fireworks for many years and never once have I heard anyone leaving the fireworks saying, ‘It was good but it could have been better,'” Spiker commented.