_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of Steve Pate-Newberry via the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce}

With the United States celebrating 250 years of being a country, Cindy Vosburg is anticipating a large turnout for Crescent City’s Fourth of July festivities.

Vosburg and her team at the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce have been planning the Deck Party, accepting parade entries and figuring out where to set up vendors for the festival in the park. It’s a heavy lift mostly funded through sponsorships from the business community, but this year, the Chamber is asking the general public for help. 

“Last year we were able to raise $63,000 in sponsorships and the event costs us about $70,000 to put on,” Vosburg told Redwood Voice Community News on Monday. “We also make a little bit more money off the bar, the raffle and Cow Chip Bingo. But this year, it’s a really tough year for the business community. We’re about $8,050 short of that $63,000.”

The chamber is seeking donations either via the mail, in person or through PayPal. According to Vosburg, it’s already received a $57 donation from the raffle winner at last week’s Chamber mixer. As of Monday, it needs an additional $8,000.

Vosburg said she is seeking those donations at the direction of her Board of Directors. The chamber has received about $55,000 both in sponsorships and in additional contributions of $5,000 each from Crescent City and Del Norte County specifically for the fireworks. 

The theme this year is Del Norte County Through The Decades. Instead of selecting an individual grand marshal for the parade, the Chamber of Commerce is honoring all of the past grand marshals — an honor Vosburg says is often remembered in the recipient’s obituary if they have passed on. 

In addition to asking the past grand marshals living to take part in the procession, all the names will be on a float that will be on display at the park following the parade, District 2 Supervisor Valerie Starkey, who is spearheading the Fourth of July committee for the Chamber, told Redwood Voice.

Parade entries will be accepted through Wednesday.

In addition to the parade, the Chamber of Commerce starts the celebration with its Deck Party on July 3. There’s also the annual festival in the park and the fireworks display over Battery Point Lighthouse on July 4. 

“The parade has been going on since 1853. Crescent City incorporated in 1857,” Vosburg told Redwood Voice, adding that Chamber Assistant Michelle Radison found that tidbit of information through her involvement with the Del Norte County Historical Society. “It’s even older than us being a county seat … and I don’t know of a year that we didn’t have a parade except COVID when we weren’t allowed to do it.”

According to Vosburg, with the Chamber short of funds for the festivities, there was some discussion about charging a fee for parade entries similar to the Azalea Festival parade in Brookings. Vosburg said she wanted to avoid that.

But it will be difficult this year. According to Vosburg, the fireworks alone are $40,000. When she asked city and county officials for help, Vosburg said the vendor, Pyro Spectaculars, informed her that the price increased due to tariffs.

Port-o-potties are $6,200, security for the fireworks are $1,500 and Vosburg said she put in a $600 order for plastic cups and “the little stars that we put in the parade cards.” 

It also takes about 45 vendors to host the Deck Party, not including set up and tear down, Vosburg said. She said she doesn’t have that many people working on July 4, but noted that, for volunteers, the event starts at 6 p.m. and doesn’t end until the fireworks are over.

This year the fireworks start at 10 p.m. 

People can send a donation check through the mail or drop them off in person at the Crescent City-Del Norte County Chamber of Commerce, 1080 Mason Mall, Suite #2, Crescent City, CA 95531.

To donate via PayPal, scan the QR code above. Donations are tax deductible.