The People’s Park and Recreation Foundation has partnered with Town Pump to raise funds for the annual Great Falls fireworks display.

This year, Town Pump is matching every dollar raised by the foundation, up to $15,000, through July 4.

It’s the first of a five-year matching agreement with Town Pump, according to Greg Hall, foundation president.

The annual fireworks show costs about $18,000 to $20,000 and is entirely funded by donations since the city cut the fireworks display due to budget cuts in 2008.

In 2009, Bennett Motors paid $15,000 for the fireworks show, saving the day, and partnered with the city and the foundation to raise money for future shows.

Since then, it’s been up to the foundation to fund the annual event, Hall said, and they’ve raised about $900,000 since for fireworks and other Parks and Recreation projects over the last decade or so.

Hall said they’ve raised funds through the bucket brigade at the July 4 parade, utility envelope stuffers and pint nights.

They almost had to cancel during COVID, Hall said, and foundation members came close to paying out of their own pockets when funds were tight.

It’s been tough since the pandemic to raise funds and Hall said they understand there’s a lot of community needs and fireworks might seems frivolous.

But, it’s a time to celebrate our county and “we can’t forget those who have been there before and done so much to get us where we’re at,” Hall said.

He said Town Pump made a significant donation last year and Jimmy and Debbie Filipowicz and Steel Etc. have contributed, but they fund fireworks at the baseball stadium and “they’re so generous,” so the foundation didn’t want to keep relying on the same donors.

Hall said he contacted Town Pump about continuing their support and the company agreed to the match campaign for five years and the it’s now a named sponsor.

Posters are in Town Pumps around town with QR codes to the donation page and donors can give directly on the foundation website, by mail, or in person at Independence Bank.

Hall said they’re rebuilding the fireworks show this year after having to pare down in recent years due to funding.

This year’s show is going to be $22,000 to $25,000, which will be the biggest show they’ve put on in awhile, Hall said.

“It will be something really cool,” he said.

They’re hoping, he said, for an even bigger show in 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The fireworks company is testing options to set the show to music for 2026, he said.

Anything raised through July 4 will be matched by Town Pump up to $15,000.

“That’s awesome, because next year we want to double the show if we could,” Hall said.

Hall said the foundation will have a float in the July 4 parade thanks to Eagle Beverage and will be collecting donations, so encourage parade goers to bring a few dollars with them.

“I think people need to understand that it is a donation funded display,” Hall said, and city taxes haven’t funded the fireworks display since 2008.

The foundation finances the display, but the city Park and Recreation department facilitates the display from West Bank Park.