Fundraiser raises money for Independence Day fireworks

By Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

Mary Ehde has fond memories of fireworks displays at Fantasy Island during past Independence Days.

“I remember my kids were the first ones to get on top of the big Ferris wheel or rollercoaster before the fireworks started,” said Ehde, who served as s co-chair of the fundraising efforts to bring fireworks back to Grand Island.

“And try to time it just right so they could be up there when. …” continued co-chair Diane Thompson.

Ehde and Thompson organized the “Grand Island Fourth of July Revival Party” event that was held Sept. 7 at Moose Lodge 180, 2524 Grand Island Blvd.

According to Ehde’s report on Facebook, as of Sept. 10, $6,022 was raised at the event so that Grand Island could have a display of fireworks on July 4, 2025, at Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World at Fantasy Island. And on Sunday, Ehde posted, “Fantastic news, D & H Paving and Grovers Bar just stepped in with a $5,000 donation. Thanks so much, Mike Vaccaro. At this rate, maybe we'll go 20 minutes.”

“It’s time to bring back the tradition,” said Diane Thompson’s daughter, Nicolette Thompson.

The last time there was a fireworks display on Grand Island was in 2021. The theme of the party was “bring back fireworks, one bang at a time.”

Each minute of fireworks costs $1,000, Ehde said.

Ehde, who has worked as a bartender at the Moose Lodge for the past 34 years, said she has fond memories of the club’s Fourth of July parties. She said everything changed when Fantasy Island closed.

“Every year, we have a party on the fourth of July,” Ehde said. “We have a picnic in the back. We have s’mores for the kids. We have sparklers and things like that, and we watch the fireworks. The last two years, I’ve closed at eight o’clock. When you think about the parade starting at 9 in the morning and then people go to the VFW or Fantasy Island and have their picnics and everything. And then, at eight o’clock, they have to leave the Island to find a place to see … have a display. My motivation was to help the businesses stay open past eight o’clock. That’s the main thing: to keep people on the Island.”

Ehde said her hope for families next year is that, “Instead of having to drive off the Island, fight the bridges both ways and get home at midnight or one o’clock in the morning and have to go to work the next day, they can stay here and just shoot home.”

It cost partygoers a $10 entry fee to attend the fundraiser.

“With that, you get draft beer, pop, water, hot dogs and the entertainment,” Ehde said, noting three bands played at the party: Stationwagon, the Ellen Band and The Basix.

“All of the above was donated. Everything is 100% donated. The tickets were donated. The pop, the food, the beer. Everybody playing or selling anything. Everything was donated. The T-shirts that we’re wearing were donated by Fantasy Island … the park. They made 100 for us, and we’re selling them for $10 apiece,” Ehde said.

Thompson made the 35 lawn signs that decorated the fence.

“I was able to make them at home. I used a color printer. After we saw the weather and the rain today, I said, ‘you know, we ought to laminate these,’ ” she said.

“The signs are for everyone who donated over $100,” Nicolette Thompson added.

“One hundred dollars cash or the beer that was donated and the hot dogs and things like that,” Ehde said. “So, if they donated the equivalent of $100, they get a sign.”

In addition to the donors, Ehde said she wanted to thank the “behind the scenes people who contributed so much” to the event.