CVMD leads drive to fund Fourth of July Freedom Fest

A file photo of a past Freedom Fest fireworks show at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez)

Clovis Veterans Memorial District has stepped up to organize local funding through veteran and community groups in effort to make the 4th of July Freedom Fest a reality this year.

Kiwanis Club officials announced April 25 that they had no choice but to cancel this year’s fireworks show after one of their major sponsors pulled out.

“This one sponsor was responsible for almost half of the cost of the fireworks show,” Kiwanis Member Eddie De Leon said in April. “If we cannot replace these funds, the show will not go on as planned.”

However, the idea of having no 4th of July celebration in Clovis was not an option in the eyes of Clovis Veterans and service club leaders.

“Our community needs the opportunity to celebrate together the freedom we enjoy as a nation” said August Flasch, VFW Post 3225.

The Clovis Veterans Memorial District, established in 1946 to honor Veterans and serve the community, helped make the plans for this year’s celebration come to fruition.

“I am proud to say that our community has come together and declared that a 4th of July celebration is too important to allow to falter because of finances,” said CVMD CEO Lorenzo Rios. “The Clovis Kiwanis came forward a few weeks ago and declared that due to a shortfall, created by the lack of a corporate sponsor, the 4th of July celebration known as Clovis Freedom Festival was cancelled.

“The veterans community and local service clubs came to the Clovis Veterans Memorial District and said that our Freedom Festival must not be cancelled. Everyone has agreed to come together and work as one team to put together a community celebration that we can all be proud of.”

CVMD will coordinate community organizations that are willing to participate, both as financial sponsors and hosts of activities for the event. The District will also organize a Freedom Festival Committee that will meet to organize the event that consists of officials from City of Clovis, Clovis Unified School District, local veterans organizations and community service clubs.

“We are excited to work hand in hand with our community partners to see this celebration come together,” said Matt Teresi, Clovis Kiwanis Club President.

The 37th annual Freedom Fest fireworks display is set for 9 p.m. on the Fourth of July at Lamonica Stadium.

The Clovis Community Foundation will accept donations from the community in support of the Freedom Fest.

For information about the event and how to participate, contact the District at 559-299-0471 or e-mail specialevents@cvmdistrict.org