Grand Island: Bringing back fireworks - 'One Bang at a Time'

Article and Photo by Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

Most communities have fireworks on July 4. What could be more natural and all-American?

But Grand Islanders haven’t had their own go-to place for fireworks since Fantasy Island’s annual show on the park grounds was discontinued years ago.

That may soon change. A local group has launched a fundraising drive to revive the tradition in 2025. And they want it back at the amusement park, which was sold to a new owner in 2021.

Mary Ehde of Moose Lodge 180 is the organizer and point person for the campaign. It all starts with an event at noon Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Moose Lodge, 2524 Grand Island Blvd.

A $10 ticket will include entertainment – an open jam session by local musicians all afternoon, with the Basix as the host band – as well as pop and water, a hot dog and a draft beer. Multiple 50/50 drawings will be held throughout the event. Advance tickets will be on sale soon. Themed T-shirts will be available for purchase. The fundraiser will be held inside the lodge if the weather is bad.

Ehde said the response on social media has been encouraging. Businesses are already pledging donations.

The fundraiser is designed to give a helping hand to IB Parks & Entertainment. That’s the company that purchased the amusement park in 2021 and has renamed it Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World at Fantasy Island.

Despite “many challenges from the foundation up,” Ehde said what the new owner has done so far is impressive.

“They have made great progress” by reopening first the water park, then many rides, Ehde said. “They have even lowered the entry fee by $10. Their mission is to bring the park back to how it was in the glory days. With their approval and appreciation, we want to help them accomplish their goal, ‘One Bang at a Time.’ ”

Ehde said the Fourth of July week is an important one for both current Grand Island residents and former Grand Islanders.

“It’s the week that many relocated families use as their yearly vacation. Beginning with Mallwitz Island Lanes’ all-Island reunion on July 3, to several class and family reunions, to our massive parade, onto the VFW picnic and finishing at Fantasy Island, we can enjoy our time without having to cross the bridges,” Ehde said.

She explained that, for the past three years, the sequence had to end by 8 p.m. so families could leave the Island to find a local fireworks display. Island stores and restaurants also miss out on some of the action of parties and purchases as residents leave for fireworks in neighboring communities.

“The reason to reach out (to the new owners) is to try to keep our businesses open at night,” Ehde said.

She said she got in touch with IB Parks: “The two vice presidents actually came here (to the Moose Lodge) for a car show. … They listened to everybody’s story of the old glory days of Fantasy Island. They loved it. They were excited.”

Ehde said that, when the corporate executives realized how important fireworks at Fantasy Island are to residents, they remarked, “Yes, we’re going to do that!”

The Dispatch reached out to an IB Parks and Entertainment official about the effort to revive the fireworks tradition at the park, but did not receive a reply in time for this edition. 

Grand Island Deputy Supervisor Tom Digati supports the committee’s goal to bring back July 4 fireworks on Grand Island.

“I'm in favor of their efforts and want to try and organize something to help. I've spoken with a couple folks about perhaps trying to put together a barbecue event or tagging into another event to help,” Digati said. “I love the idea of capping the night off with fireworks. I grew up on the Island and spent almost every Fourth of July at Fantasy Island or in the plaza parking lot watching the fireworks. Some of my favorite memories!”

Digati is doubtful the town could provide any funding for fireworks at the privately run park.

“I'd have to confirm with legal, but the town is not really able to spend taxpayer funds on private endeavors,” he said. “We could explore potential opportunities, but it seems unlikely that the town would be able to make a monetary contribution to another entity. That said, I know I'm willing to do whatever I can to help advertise events and garner support for their efforts!”

Planning committee member Bob Lamb of the Moose said bringing fireworks back to the park is a real benefit to Islanders.

“It’s an event for families on the Island, particularly with young children, who don’t want to travel, who don’t want to get far from home,” he said. “You won’t have to leave the Island, and by the time the fireworks are over, the kids and everybody else will be ready for bed.”

Bob Patterson agreed: “I think it’s an excellent idea. It’s something we need for the Town of Grand Island and the citizens of Grand Island. They deserve to have the fireworks.”

Musician Steve Quarcini said he would be supplying sound equipment, and, he quipped, “hopefully a little talent. Hopefully we’ll have a great turnout.”

Fellow musician John Cameron said he would be glad to be part of the jam session for a good cause. He plans to bring his band – “my old band from the ’70s – yes, we go back that far.” He said they still have staying power. “Guaranteed to rock till we drop.”

A group of residents is working to bring July 4 fireworks back to Grand Island. The committee met at the Moose Lodge earlier this month to plan a fundraising event for Saturday, Sept. 7, at the lodge, 2524 Grand Island Blvd.