Ft. Vancouver, WA Fireworks Revival Sparks Funding Fireworks with Portland, Oregon Hotels

One of the disadvantages of Oregon connecting to Washington State has long been in the philosophical divide in what each state considers illegal fireworks. Then there's the annual 4^th of July fireworks show at Ft. Vancouver in Vancouver, WA that's been known for years as one of if not the biggest fireworks show west of the Mississippi. Oregonians have never been shy in crossing the famous bridge into Vancouver to enjoy the fireworks right over their heads, back when they were set off at Ft. Vancouver's barge near the park. In 2009, it was announced the fireworks wouldn't happen for the first time in its history because there wasn't enough money available.

Oregonians who annually made the trek to the show for free and those who watched it on TV felt depressed. Talk was that the Ft. Vancouver fireworks show would be another chain reaction victim on the economic chopping block.

When word arrived this year that the fireworks would return (but with admission charges), hotels along the Oregon side of the Columbia River likely rejoiced louder than any other fan of the show. The reason was due to a long-held secret: The hotels near the river had profited for years from those staying there to see the fireworks across the river.

In those days, the fireworks on the barge could be seen for miles across the River Columbia. There was no better spot than to be in the confines of a chic and comfortable room rather than standing around multi-thousands of people who may or may not be sober. And, of course, the hotels profited in the millions doing this for an unknown number of decades. If you can forgive that and understand that everybody takes advantage of fireworks shows from other locations, the feelings of disrupting goodwill might be thwarted.

But that's not how all the people feel in Vancouver, Washington. When the time comes that the money has to be put back into the coffers to fund next year's Ft. Vancouver fireworks, Vancouverites want those same Portland hotels to pitch in the money as a symbiotic process. It's also being suggested that Oregonians who've made annual treks to see the show all these years be reciprocal in giving money back.

The problem can't become just one sided: Is it a state responsibility for a state fireworks show, or a multi-state operation by the people? And what happens when no one steps forward or has the money?

If you go by most other state fireworks shows in America, it's usually funded by the people via year-long donations to an organization or a local fire department. The more expensive shows in America's bigger cities are funded by corporations. It's obvious now, though, that most of those routes are becoming impossible to hold up in an economy that doesn't allow much free spending as of this writing.

While the media attaches importance to the usual sources for funding, the push toward getting funding from those who enjoy fireworks shows from the shadows of other vantage points only gets a whisper of attention.
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Not that there should be a snarky war between Washington and Oregon over this situation. Both states aren't the Hatfields and McCoys, even though their opposing fireworks laws make no sense considering their close proximity. The biggest challenge this year in getting Oregonians to contribute is in the reports that the new location of the Ft. Vancouver fireworks may not be seen across the Columbia River or any other location across the Oregon state line. It's said that all Oregonians wanting to see the fireworks have to go directly to Ft. Vancouver Park and commune with fellow Washingtonians if they want to enjoy them this year.

With that in mind, the hotels are out. One missed year of huge profits for the hotels and any chance of giving money back from the past is arguably out of the question.

That leaves the people of Oregon themselves who will still spend time and money on gas to go stand for hours with over 60,000 other people. There never is a total of how many Oregonians attend the Ft. Vancouver fireworks show. No matter the number, this year will prove that the border of Oregon and Washington has long been a unique portal of American communion to celebrate the spirit of independence on July 4^th. It probably isn't unusual to find the same situation in other states that depend on funds from the usual sources to keep their fireworks shows going into an indefinite future.

If you're one of those who regularly cross the border of a nearby state to take advantage of an expensive fireworks show, give back to it. Otherwise, these last bastions of American community won't be around much longer and perhaps done and over within three or more years after the writing of these words. The good-natured rivalry between states in our great nation doesn't have to extend to ignoring the things everybody hesitates to admit they hold close as a treasure.

Let the portal between Oregon and Washington be the first to start off perfecting an imperfect union...

Sources:

http://www.vancwa.com/4th_of_july.htm

http://www.vancwa.com/just_fireworks.htm