Should Summer Celebration's Fireworks Be Saved? Mercer Island Council Considers $23K to Save Show

Mercer Island's Summer Celebration could be without a fireworks show after city fundraising efforts are falling $22,950 short of paying for the program.

Despite a fundraising campaign that started in November, the city confirmed just $1,050 in sponsors for fireworks at the 2013 Mercer Island's Summer Celebration, according to documents that will be presented at Monday's Mercer Island City Council meeting.

The city council on Monday will consider funding the difference or canceling the fireworks, according to the city of Mercer Island's city council agenda.

This is the third year that the city has tried to pay for the fireworks with outside funds.

In 2011, the city was able to pay for the fireworks by raising $29,000, according to city documents, but was not as successful the following year. In 2012, the city raised $3,250 but the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget was able to absorb the shortfall in 2012, and the show was able to go on.

This year's Summer Celebration will be July 13 and 14 and activities will be at Luther Burbank Park. This year's theme is "It's Magic!"

Other items on the March 4 agenda include:

Public Hearing: Development Agreement for Legacy Partners Residential, LLC to Develop a Mixed-Use Retail/Residential Development Project in the Town Center (1st Reading)

City Work Plan to Address Proposed Tolling of I-90

2013 Summer Celebration! Fireworks Fundraising Update

Request Reclassification (Rezone) for a Property Located at 8473 SE 68th Street (South Fire Station) from the R-9.6 Zone to the P Zone (1st Reading)

If you go

The Mercer Island City Council meeting starts with a study session at 6 p.m.  on the Review of Proposed City Responses to Shoreline Master Program Public Comments. The regular meeting starts at 7 p.m. The meeting is at City Hall Council Chambers, 9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

If you can't make the meeting, you can watch live online on the city of Mercer Island's website or on cable channel 21.

Online:

City of Mercer Island: City Council Agenda, March 4, 2013