Salida Fireworks Community Fund

Update on Gifts to the Salida Fireworks Fund:

Thank you so much for supporting the Salida Fireworks Fund! Together, you raised over $14,000—a true testament to the heart of our community. Your generosity, paired with the tireless efforts of a small but dedicated team of volunteers, made this incredible outcome possible.

As you know, the City of Salida made the tough decision to cancel this year’s fireworks show due to the heightened fire safety risks this summer. While it was heartbreaking to miss this beloved tradition, it was a necessary step to protect our valley and everyone who calls it home.

I’m happy to share that the fireworks originally purchased for the July 4th show were returned and fully refunded. The City even explored the possibility of using a portion of them for the Parade of Lights, but unfortunately, the ATF’s regulations—and the safety concerns around storing explosives for an extended period—made that impossible.

Because the fund is meant to support all fireworks displays in Salida, the cancellation and refund created an unexpected challenge. That’s why I’m reaching out to let you know that every dollar you contributed to the 4th of July show will now go toward the 2027 4th of July celebration. This will give the volunteer team a meaningful head start in raising the full $20,000 goal for next year, ensuring your gift stays true to its original purpose.

In the meantime, amazing volunteers are already hard at work launching a campaign to fund the Parade of Lights display. Any gifts received by October 1st will go directly toward making that event shine bright this holiday season.

Looking ahead to 2027, contributions to the fund will no longer be tied to a specific event. Instead, they’ll build a lasting resource to support fireworks displays at all of Salida’s special occasions—keeping the magic alive for years to come.

Thank you for your kindness, flexibility, and understanding as we navigate this unexpected change together.

- Betsy Dittenber, Executive Director

A Community Tradition - Powered by Community Giving

When you support Salida’s Parade of Lights and Fourth of July fireworks, you’re helping preserve moments that generations of neighbors have shared—gathering downtown, watching the sky light up, and celebrating what it means to belong to this community. These beloved traditions have always existed because people like you chose to show up, give back, and invest in experiences that connect us all.

Today, your generosity continues that legacy. The Chaffee County Community Foundation, working in partnership with the City of Salida, the Salida Community Center, High Country Bank, and dedicated volunteers, is building a sustainable, community-led model to keep these celebrations going strong. Because fireworks must be ordered well in advance and safety coordination requires long-term planning, ongoing community support is essential. Your donation helps ensure the fireworks fund is replenished year after year—so families, visitors, and future generations can keep gathering under the same bright Salida sky. This is not a one-time effort, but a shared commitment—and your support makes it possible.