FBA likely to discontinue July 4 event - Organization in need of sponsors, volunteers for existing projects

Following an Aug. 1 meeting, board members of the Fallbrook Beautification Alliance said it is likely the organization will discontinue its annual 4th of July event. The 2012 festivities marked the eighth year of the tradition.

“Every year it is a struggle to determine the profitability of having the July 4th event,” explained Mary Jo Bacik, who said this year’s event cost $60,000 for the organization to produce, and the net profit was small.

“In the past [the FBA] has had major sponsors to underwrite the high cost of putting on the July 4th event,” said Greg MacDonald. “Funds for such things as fireworks (the single most expensive item), entertainment, and the facility rental simply cannot be generated through ticket sales or smaller donations alone.”

MacDonald said the downturn in the economy in recent years has resulted in “fewer and fewer big corporate sponsors” and this year there were none.

“Also due to the faltering economy, our attendance was down significantly this year and this contributed to the absence of any significant profit after expenses,” he said.

“Only $1,400 was raised this year,” said Bacik. And that included 30 percent of the proceeds from support organizations that operated booths at the event – Village Rotary Club, Soroptimist International, and the Fallbrook Woman’s Club. In addition, supply donations of significant value came from Rally for Children (crafts), Ed Jackson (candy booth), and Rocky Santiago (photo booth).

MacDonald said the effort to provide the July 4th event has been powered by the volunteers trying to raise money to sustain the FBA’s projects.

“Although the July 4th event is one of Fallbrook’s most popular and enjoyable, we cannot lose sight of the fact that proceeds from the event go entirely toward FBA’s community beautification projects, such as the extensive South Mission medians. That’s what the event is all about for the FBA. Therefore we have to make enough money from the event to support our projects or it is simply not worth the effort; and what a monumental effort it is for FBA and other community volunteers!”

Bacik confirmed that it takes over 100 volunteers to organize and work the event.

“For the organization to stay afloat, we need to raise a minimum of $20,000 per year,” said Bacik. “We just really can’t afford to throw the event anymore, as wonderful as it is.”

Bacik said she felt bad because residents have come to expect fireworks in Fallbrook, but the outlook is bleak.

“It’s just reality; we probably won’t have fireworks in Fallbrook for the 4th of July anymore,” she said.

When asked why she thought the attendance was down significantly this year, Bacik said “we are wondering if it was because it was a mid-week event; because we had to increase the price a little… was that a turnoff; or is it that some people have attended it for eight years and thought they would do something different this year?”

Regardless of how many people paid to join in the mainstream festivities, a large number of community members have come to enjoy the resulting fireworks.

“So many residents count on [the fireworks]; people line up along South Mission Road,” said Bacik.

Bacik said she and other FBA members hope another community group might be interested in “picking up the fireworks,” to keep the tradition going.

“It might be a good idea to see if there is a way within the community to fund it,” she said.

To continue the good work of the FBA, new strategies must be contemplated.

“We feel the work needs to continue; we have to look at other ways to raise money,” said Bacik.

Jerri Patchett said one item of urgency is acquiring enough funds to sustain the South Mission medians.

“We are looking for additional $1,000 annual sponsors for our beautiful Mission medians,” said Patchett. “Donors will be recognized on one of the two Mission median signs.” (Sponsor inquiries can be directed to Patchett at (760) 723-8635).

In addition to maintaining the medians, the FBA organizes and oversees the Main Ave. flower pot project and provides graffiti removal efforts in the downtown area.

Patchett said the FBA “is always in need of volunteers to help paint out graffiti and clean along the Pico Promenade.”

To learn more about the FBA and how to become a volunteer, visit

http://www.fallbrookbeautification.org.