July 4 Fireworks Are Back On

Less than two weeks after city leaders cancelled the July 4 fireworks show to deal with the city's milti-million-dollar budget deficit, Milpitas community members have raised the $70,000 necessary to keep it going.

The effort, spearheaded by council members Almando Gomez and Althea Polanski, means that that a tradition spanning three decades will continue. The two announced the accomplishment today.

"It's my hope that we can continue to partner with our business community to continue this event for years to come," Polanski said. 

Donations include $15,000 from Allied Waste and more than $30,000 total from Robson Homes, Preston Pipelines, Headway Technologies, Lyon Homes and D.R. Horton.

About $25,000 will be raised by charging $3 per head admission. 

"Our budget deficit has forced us to make some difficult decisions, but I am ecstatic that we were able to think outside the box to keep this Milpitas tradition," Gomez said.

City leaders will officially continue the event at their April 3 meeting. 

The fireworks will be 6 p.m. July 4 at the Milpitas Sports Center. A live band will follow the fireworks display.