KIRO's Dave Ross Saves Seattle Fireworks Show

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

After a grass-roots radio and online campaign was led by restaurateur and chef Tom Douglas on News/Talk KIRO FM/Seattle, the July 4th fireworks show over Lake Union will happen this year. On Thursday's "Dave Ross Show," Douglas pledged $5,000 to keep the fireworks going after Wednesday's announcement that the display had been cancelled due to lack of sponsorships.

Following Douglas' proclamation, morning host Dave Ross pledged $1000. Douglas put out the challenge to Seattle area businesses to contribute what they could to keep a 4th of July fireworks show in Seattle.

Phone calls and e-mails poured in from businesses large and small, bringing in tens of thousands of dollars to keep the fireworks show alive. By 5pm yesterday, $80,000 was raised by local companies and then Microsoft and Starbucks agreed to match $125,000 each to help with the effort. Later in the evening, Paul Allen's company, Vulcan, contributed $50,000 to the cause launching the total pledges to $432,000.

Pledges continued Friday morning and just before 9am, Bill Pettit of Merrill Gardens, called in to announce the final pledge to reach the $500,000 goal. "I am amazed, but not surprised, by the overwhelming community support for an event that all of us now own," said Dave Ross.