We've got 4th of July fireworks. Ooh. Ahh.

By Dian Vujovich

While a number of cities and towns around the country have canceled their 4th of July fireworks not us. We’re lucky enough to live in a place where the $40,000 tab for the dazzling light-up-the-night display is underwritten by PNC.

I love the 4th of July celebrations. Particularly the fireworks. The holiday means a lot to me and even more in these trying times when way too many people are out of work; way too many corporations have way too much money and aren’t hiring; way too many banks have money to lend but don’t; way too much money is being spent on a war that can’t be won and should never have begun in the first place; and way too many people have stubbornly aligned themselves as either a Hatfield or McCoy refusing to cooperate with one another rather than work together to help our nation through the many challenges facing it.

Whew! Got that out.

Anyhow, back to our fabulous fireworks, the City of West Palm Beach has a 5-year contract in which PNC will underwrite the holiday’s fireworks. According to Peter Robbins, the mayor’s chief public information officer, there are a few years left on that contract. Yahoo.

But there are more costs involved to the Flagler celebration and Intracoastal display than the cost of boom booms. Like for security, public safety etc. Robbins informed me much of that is underwritten as well.

Whatever the bottom line, underwritten or not, the symbolism of the 4th of July holiday brings people of all walks of life together to ooh and ahh for —at the very least— one-half hour of one day. It’s amazing how looking up into the dark night sky in anticipation of what’s to come and then seeing multi-colored star-bursts, yellow and red chrysanthemums, red/white/and blue rings, bursts of palms, wagon wheels, fountains, golden dahlias and waterwheel fireworks can do to unite a community. And even, albeit briefly, clear one’s mind of worry and inspire hope.

I’m hoping you have a wonderful 4th of July and that it doesn’t rain. Festivities begin at 5 on Flagler, fireworks at 9 p.m. and sailors from the USS Carr get special VIP seating.