Agenda Item Wording:
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Authorize staff to apply for grant for Independence Spectacular community event - Grant is through the San Joaquin Valley Air District for Clean Alternative to Fireworks.
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Deadline for Action: 4/21/2025
Submitting Department: Community Services
Contact Name and Phone Number: Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director, jason.glick@visalia.city (559)713-4042 and Laurissa Roggenkamp, Recreation Manager laurissa.roggenkamp@visalia.city (559)713-4336
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that City Council authorize the City Manager to designate and authorize Parks & Recreation Director, Jason Glick as the City's representative, to apply for and implement the clean alternative to fireworks grant program. The grant funding will support the 2nd Annual Independence Spectacular drone show.
Background Discussion:
In 2024 the City hosted the Inaugural Independence Spectacular event on July 3rd. This community event featured free admission, live music, free kids amusement area, community services information booths, food and boutique vendors, and the night accumulated with two drone shows synced to music. The drone shows were approximately 12 minutes in length with 200 drones, show times were 9pm and 10pm.
The 2024 event was supported by funding from the City's General Fund, grant sponsorship from San Joaquin Vally Air District, and in-kind contributions and support from Momentum Broadcasting, Bueno Beverage, and the Visalia Community Enhancement Foundation. As the inaugural event, the event was highly successful with an estimated 5,000 community members in attendance.
In the planning of the 2025 event, staff have identified a grant opportunity through the San Joaquin Valley Air District. They are accepting applications for the Clean Alternatives to Fireworks Pilot Incentive Program. This program is offered to public and private entities to fund clean firework alternatives, such as drone light shows, in lieu of fireworks disp...
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