Vallejo Business Raise Money To Save 4th of July
VALLEJO (KCBS)— The city of Vallejo will have a fireworks display on 4th of July after all, thanks to some business owners who barely beat a deadline to raise money for the troubled event.
It's an annual tradition in Vallejo to watch Independence Day fireworks from the waterfront. Raymond Prather said it's always been a special holiday in his life. He grew up in the retail business and the store didn't close very often.
"One holiday that my grandfather did close the store was 4th of July and we'd all spend it together. One of the things we did was go down to the waterfront and watch the fireworks. When it wasn't down there in 2009, it was kind of depressing," said Prather.
Prather, owner of Victory Stores in town and Ken Ingersoll owner of Gracie's Family Barbeque, took it upon themselves to raise $18,000 in 2010 and they did it again this year. The money will go to an explosive show that will last about half an hour.
KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:
Ingersoll said when the night sky is bursting with bright, vibrant colors as thousands of people watch from the waterfront, he and Prather will feel a sense of pride knowing that the community is celebrating together.
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