Purcell Fireworks Show Will Go On Despite Budget Cuts

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

PURCELL, Oklahoma -- Generous residents opened their hearts and wallets to raise money for Purcell's annual firework display.

A tightened city budget forced the town of Purcell to close the city pool and cancel the annual Fourth of July fireworks display. The city found the money to open the pool, but there was still not enough money for fireworks.

But one group of firefighters in Purcell said they were determined to find a way to let the show go on.

"Myself along with some other firefighters and some other groups of individuals here in town formed a small civic group to try to rectify the problem," said Purcell firefighter Kraig Edelman.

Purcell firefighters circulated a flyer among downtown businesses to raise money for a July 4 show.

The Purcell paper also got behind the drive.

"We ran some free advertising in the paper to promote it, and it's worked out really well," said John Montgomery, owner of The Purcell Register.

Organizers of the fundraiser said the ads and the flyers did the trick.

"In terms of money was approximately $8,000, and as of now we've succeeded that," Edelman said.

Edelman said money left over from this year will be put towards next year's display.

Chris Pharoh with Frontier Fireworks said seeing the city come together to raise money for the show carries on the tradition of the Fourth.

"They want to try maybe to hang on to a piece of what it was like when they were young and have a fireworks display, so kids can come and see what it was, and maybe have some hope for the future," said Pharoh.

The fireworks show will start at dusk on the July 4 at Purcell lake.