Fourth of July celebration to be at sports complex
To help
Donations for the Fourth of July fireworks display in Janesville are being accepted at all Anchor Banks in Janesville. Contributions also may be mailed to Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 22 N. Main St., Janesville, WI, 53545.
For more information, call the Odd Fellows at (608) 754-4918.
JANESVILLE — This year's Fourth of July festivities again will be at the Youth Sports Complex on Janesville's east side rather than at waterlogged Traxler Park.
"With the floods, the ground is terribly soaked. We're not taking a chance by pulling in heavy trucks and damaging the green space," said Bonnie Davis, recreation director at Janesville Leisure Services.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Wisconsin Lodge 14, is hosting the event for the first time this year.
They "originally wanted to go back to Traxler Park, but the Youth Sports Complex is where we'll have to go, and we're pleased with that," Chairman Barry Golden said.
Independence Day activities at the Wuthering Hills Drive facility will be Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 4. Thursday will be family fun and youth day with no beer sales. Friday and Saturday will feature a carnival, food, vendors, a beverage tent and fireworks, Golden said.
Money for fireworks is the biggest concern, Golden said.
The group needs $15,000 by April 30 to order the first allotment of fireworks.
"We're nowhere near that," Golden said. "If we do the same size show as last year, we'll need $30,000."
The Janesville Jaycees hosted the Fourth of July celebration until 2008. The Wisconsin Jaycees dissolved the local group's charter at the end of last year because of dwindling membership.
Davis and members of the Janesville Youth Sports Coalition board on Tuesday approved the Janesville Youth Sports Complex as the site for this year's festivities, Davis said.
Representatives of the city leisure services, police and parks departments will meet with Odd Fellows members to work out details, Davis said.
The Odd Fellows also must go before the Janesville City Council on May 11 to get final approval, Davis said.
"I don't foresee any problems. Once they vote, it's a done deal," she said.
The Odd Fellows has some of its permits, Golden said, and has signed contracts with a carnival company and bands and is in negotiations with beverage distributors.
Apr 18, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
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chp16a95: "Too bad you can't support the local environment" What?? the local environment? How about the local economy.
Footville not Footeville
Apr 18, 2009 at 1:06 a.m.
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It's amazing how people will find anything to complain about. I wonder how many people complaining about the fireworks being on the east side this year (after clearly stating Traxler was first choice, but not possible) would still complain if there were no show at all because the funding fell through? Is it possible to just be thankful and enjoy the celebration?
Apr 18, 2009 at 12:15 a.m.
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What's with all of this east side/west side garbage? I don't ever remember looking on a map and seeing 'East' Janesville or 'West' Janesville. It's Janesville for crying out loud. Be glad you have the chance to actually see the fireworks in Janesville. To the person who was crying and said they were going out of town? Fine, go out of town and see another show. Too bad you can't support the local environment! Oh, and I'm gonna bet that a lot of people come from out of town (Footeville, Orfordville, Milton, Beloit) just to see Janesville's awesome fireworks show. I'm gonna bet that a minimum of 4 in 10 of those visitors are either going to spend money at the festival or spend money in Janesville for some other necessary staple. If you keep biting at the hand that feeds you, in time that hand will decide you're not worth feeding. Think about it!
Apr 17, 2009 at 5:37 p.m.
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exresident...BRAVO! That is what I meant. We live in JANESVILLE, not East Janesville or West Janesville. The 'Bravo' extends to some others (and I don't know where you live) like 'janesvillean' and 'callitlikeIseeit'. There will never be a way to please everyone.
Apr 17, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.
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I never saw a city bus run after the Traxler park fireworks. Carpool. And what about those of us that come from out of town, spend our money in Janesville while watching fireworks? We don't ask for bus service. What about those that will be working all weekend to help put on a nice show for everyone? Show them some respect. Be grateful someone is trying to bring some fun into others lives. Donate if you can, help if you can, enjoy the fireworks. Find something else to whine about.
Apr 17, 2009 at 4:23 p.m.
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Someone asked about where to send money to fund the fireworks. The information is on left side of the article "to help"
Donations for the Fourth of July fireworks display in Janesville are being accepted at all Anchor Banks in Janesville. Contributions also may be mailed to Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 22 N. Main St., Janesville, WI, 53545.
For more information, call the Odd Fellows at (608) 754-4918.
Apr 17, 2009 at 4:18 p.m.
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I'm glad to be rid of the brothel even if it would be at the cost of the fireworks.
Apr 17, 2009 at 3:45 p.m.
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Marissa: I must have hit a nerve with you huh? Too bad you took it so badly. Hope your mental health improves...
Apr 17, 2009 at 3:08 p.m.
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I am sorry to hear that the fireworks won't be at Traxler Park. It was always a wonderful family tradition to see the Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Show Team perform their special July 4th show, followed by the fireworks. Now I will have to choose, and I will choose the Rock Aqua Jays water ski show. I would have liked both.
Apr 17, 2009 at 2:48 p.m.
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It's the 4th of Jul. It's Fireworks. We need the American Spirit of Winners not whinners.
Let's just sit back and enjoy. Besides, can't please all the people all the time. Where can donations be sent since it wasn't in the article.
Apr 17, 2009 at 1:56 p.m.
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Freedom Fest is WAY WAY WAY better. I don't miss the Janesville drunken bash at all.
Apr 17, 2009 at 1:28 p.m.
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I think that instead of trying to decide where they should have the fireworks, you better figure out IF their going to have the fireworks. you better get your check book out and write the odd fellows a check. the guy who helped pay for them the last 5 years said the hell with it. when they tried to do something good for the city, alls they did was screw with them. in sound off, on this blog, and wclo all complained last year at who sponsard it. let the gazzette step to the plate this year, its right out their employee parking lot. they made enough money off the halbach's, now they should spend some.
Apr 17, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.
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Not every body can pick up and move to the east side like Marissa suggests. We rent up by the hospital and like to walk to traxler park or sit over by the hospital and watcht he fireworks. She must live on the east side. Maybe she will invite us all over to her house.
Apr 17, 2009 at 12:32 p.m.
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Great! Fireworks are fireworks...no difference whether you watch them at Traxler Park, Sports Complex or go out of town. People should learn to appreciate what the city is offering and quit complaining.
Apr 17, 2009 at 12:13 p.m.
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The complex for this year fireworks in a rough spot again as it's a long journey to walk and even there is not a city bus that goes out that way mainly at nite (but day too) with the fireworks. There's alot of open spaces down by the rock river(downtown) and also within the city limits as to where alot more people can get alot easyier and also be able to ENJOY these fireworks and etc. (THAT PEOPLE THAT HAS CARS DON'T NEED TO WORRY AT ALL ABOUT MISSING THEM BUT THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE CARS DO MISS IT ALL AND ALSO THINK OF THIS WAY IF PEOPLE WITHOUT CARS ARE ABLE TO ATTEND TO THEM FOR THE FORUTH (IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION THAT IS) THEN THER'E GET MORE MONEY ON EVERYTHING.
Apr 17, 2009 at 11:32 a.m.
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been there -- I get it...I can still wish though for all the reasons I mentioned.
Apr 17, 2009 at 11:23 a.m.
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Yeah Lynda, Bond Park would be a much better site.
Apr 17, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
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localmatters - reread the article. Paragraph 2 clearly explains why the celebration can not be held at Traxler park. I believe that Traxler was first choice, but not an option.
Apr 17, 2009 at 11:10 a.m.
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Lynda, there are houses for sale on the east side...instead of complaining about the perks and benefits of the east side, why don't you move there?
Apr 17, 2009 at 10:46 a.m.
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I'm thrilled it will be at the sports complex again. My family had a wonderful time last year. The fireworks were awesome. And there are no tree obstructions.
Apr 17, 2009 at 10:43 a.m.
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Under Homeland Security are we allowed to do this anymore or would it be interpreted as an aggressive anti government movement? Gotta watch out for all those people who are now potential threats to our security. Do we have permission to be celebrating? geesh its so confusing.
Apr 17, 2009 at 10:33 a.m.
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Well, suits me fine, as the hospital took away the "bowl" along Mineral Point and Franklin where we always watched.
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lynda, unless the Rock River is part of the conspiracy, I don't see how this ties into east side/west side rivalry. There simply aren't that many good places to hold them.
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I will just say that the Jaycees fireworks were always fairly nice, but went on well past the "been there done that" point. A show that was 25% nicer and concentrated on more original or unusual fireworks -- colors, shapes, etc. -- would be more to my taste.
Apr 17, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
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"they"? who is that Lynda? Quit your whining.
Apr 17, 2009 at 9:54 a.m.
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Looks like we will be going out of town again for the 4th. I wouldn't be suprised if they made the fireworks on the East side permanent....as usual, they get their way.
Apr 17, 2009 at 9:52 a.m.
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I really wish they'd have it at Traxler. There was just something about the river valley that made it special, louder, bigger. The fireworks were nice last year but something was missing. Oh well...at least we'll have them.
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