Fireworks plans spark Rockport interest

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Courtesy photo A group of Rockport residents is working on bringing a fireworks show to town next summer. This is a work created by local artist Ken Knowles to illustrate what the group is working toward. Courtesy photo

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November 21, 2012

Fireworks plans spark Rockport interest

By Gail McCarthy Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Wed Nov 21, 2012, 11:46 PM EST

A group of Rockport residents is working on bringing a summer fireworks show to town in 2013, and plans can take a significant step forward next week.

A public meeting is planned for next Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rockport Police station for anyone interested or who wants to help out.

“The idea was to develop a special night for Rockport and celebrate its view,” said resident Tim Collins, who is spearheading the effort. “We have one of the prettiest waterfronts in Sandy Bay, from Straitsmouth to Bearskin Neck to White Wharf and Front Beach and Back Beach. I think the feel of this is going to be tremendous because the fireworks will seem so close.”

Collins, who already has talked with local fire officials, said the plan is to shoot the fireworks off from the end of Granite Pier on a night at the beginning of August.

“The fireworks will be able to been seen from Back Beach all the way to the end of Bearskin Neck and beyond,” he said. “This will be a mid-summer celebration, and we hope it will bring in people to shop, eat and enjoy the town.”

Collins said this is not a new idea, but one he decided to take action on.

“A lot of people have mentioned it over the years and it came up for discussion again one day at Long Beach over the summer, but no one has really gone forward with it,” he said.

Among the ideas raised to help celebrate the town was an Illumination Night — when Chinese lanterns are set out all around a town, much like the Christmas trees line the main street over the holiday season. Even a laser show from Granite Pier was talked about on alternate years from the fireworks, he added. But the first event would be to hold a fireworks show, organizers say.

The fireworks group has a quote of $15,000 cost for the show from American Thunder, a company that does fireworks in many communities, including Gloucester and the town of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.

“This is the cost to do a show without music,” Collins said. “If we want to go upscale and have one of the nicest shows north of Boston, it’s more like $40,000 when they do the show to music with a FM transmitter. We want to encourage people to come on Wednesday because we want to make this happen and we need help with brainstorming ideas for fundraising.”

The group wants to organize fund-raising events in the spring, and is looking for donations from residents.

Collins and other organizers have set up a fund at the Rockport National Bank. Anyone interested in donating to this event can send money to: Rockport National Bank, Rockport Fireworks Fund, c/o Marcia Budrow, 37 King Street, Rockport MA 01966.

There is also a Facebook page, and organizers suggest posting “likes” on the “Rockport Fireworks” page, where there are updates about meetings.

For more information or questions, call Tim and Susan Collins at 978-546-9566.

Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3445, or at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.