Fireworks limited to Reed Bingham due to costs for Tift County shows

By Angie Thompson, Senior Reporter

June 04, 2009 09:09 pm

— TIFTON — Two traditional July 4 fireworks displays in Tift County have been canceled because of the economy, but Reed Bingham State Park’s event will go on.
The traditional July 4 fireworks display at the Georgia Agrirama and the fireworks display sponsored by Patrick Farms in Omega have been canceled because of economic constraints. The Agrirama’s Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village will be open July 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for traditional contests, music and food.
Tyron Spearman, a member of the Agrirama’s Development Authority, said Wednesday, “I am so disappointed to tell you we are not” when asked whether or not the museum would have fireworks for the public.
The state recently cut the Agrirama’s funding in the 2010 budget by 31 percent after it complied with the governor’s request earlier in the year to reduce its budget by 15 percent. Two dozen teachers and interpreters who work on the 95-acre site in school workshops and operation of the village and farm will be terminated.
Spearman said the annual fireworks display costs between $8,000 and $10,000.
“The Agrirama Foundation and the Agrirama Authority didn’t feel like they could spend that much money when we are having to relieve people,” Spearman said. “It just didn’t seem right.”
Spearman said that the Tift County Board of Commissioners, the City of Tifton and the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce each offered $1,000 toward the cost of a fireworks event. Approximately 15 private sponsors helped pay for the event last year and the Agrirama covered the shortfall, Spearman said.
Spearman said the Agrirama boards would welcome corporate sponsors to help fund the event.
Financial contributions from the public will pay for the July 4 fireworks display at Reed Bingham State Park.
“I don’t want people to get the impression we are blowing money because we are hurting financially,” said Park Ranger Chet Powell. “It’s because of private contributions that we are able to have the biggest and best fireworks that we have ever had.”
Powell said that the attendance July 4 will generate park revenue, and “that is what keeps us going.”
Powell said that two local businesses gave $1,000 each last week to the “Friends of the Park” organization. He said that an elderly man who read an article about the difficulty park staff was having maintaining the grounds donated 11 gallons of gasoline for lawnmowers.
“That will mow the whole park,” Powell said.
Another person who frequently camped at the park but was now unable to do so because of health reasons donated a camper that will be sold to benefit the park.
“The Friends group is what is keeping us going because they decide how to spend that money and not the state,” Powell said.
Another corporate sponsor is finalizing details to donate $14,000 worth of lumber to repair nature trail and dock railings damaged by recent flooding, Powell said.
Donna Tillman of Tifton is the incoming president of Reed Bingham’s “Friends of the Park,” Powell said.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.

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