A “new group of community members” has inherited Cody’s 4th of July fireworks display after five years of planning and funding by the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce.
One of the highlights of Cody’s already exceptional 4th of July festivities is the annual fireworks show. And while the show must and will go on, a new group of community members is taking on the funding and planning.
Since the Cody Skylighters ended their two-decade run in 2017, the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce has raised the money to put on the fireworks show. Unfortunately, finding enough funding to stage a consistently awe-inspiring show has been challenging despite its best efforts.
Courtesy Unsplash & Jingda Chen
On Feb. 9, Chamber C.E.O. Tina Hoebelhenirch released a statement announcing the responsibility for the 4th of July fireworks now lies with the newly formed Cody Fireworks Committee.
The full text of the statement is published below:
Dear Friends and Members of the Cody Chamber,
In 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail about the Continental Congress’ vote of independence.
” I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generatios, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfire, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
The wishes of John Adams established a great tradition that each year we hope to honor.
For more than 20 years, members of the Cody Skylighters worked diligently to provide Cody (with) professional fireworks displays on July 4th. The group purchased the materials, did the fundraising, and produced the show without much fanfare or recognition. Following the 2017 show, the group decided to disband; leaving the Cody July 4th fireworks in question. For the last five years, the Cody Chamber was honored to commit to the continuation of this patriotic display.
Fundraising for the fireworks slowed in 2022 and the Chamber incurred a large loss on the event. Due to that loss, and the impact to our programs and mission, The Chamber Board has handed the event over to a new group of community members who will carry the torch forward.
It will be more important than ever that we offer as much support to the Cody Fireworks Committee that we can as a community.
With regard,
Tina Hoebelheinrich, President/CEO on behalf of The Cody Country Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
