by Nathan Boddy
Hamilton’s Mayor, Dominic Farrenkopf, adopted the city’s fireworks display as a ‘pet project’ when he first became Mayor five years ago. His thinking at the time, and currently, is that using money from the town’s general fund to pay for an event that is enjoyed by residents of the entire valley was less than ideal. His goal, therefore, has been to fund it exclusively through donations.
“We need to get the Mayor in the dunk tank,” he says, acknowledging one popular way funds are raised for the $18,000 4th of July display. He explains that they also partner with local businesses such as Evans Ace Hardware, who will be doing a ‘Round Up’ over Father’s Day weekend. During the event, prices at the till can be voluntarily ‘rounded up’ to the nearest dollar, and the overage sent to the city to help fund the show. Also, Evans Ace Hardware is doing a barbecue on June 25 and there will be buckets available to drop donations in.
You can dunk the mayor in his dunk tank on Saturday, June 18 at city hall in the morning during the farmers market. Farrenkopf says that he’ll be making other appearances in the dunk tank at points and times yet to be determined, but that they are still in need of about $6,000 for the show.
“In the month of June, we are hoping that everyone feels benevolent and patriotic,” says Farrenkopf, “and sends a check to: City Hall, 223 S. 2nd Street, Hamilton, MT 59840, attention Finance Office with ‘Fireworks Fund’ in the memo.”
The fireworks display is a great community event, and Mayor Farrenkopf says that the City is very pleased and thankful to the community to be able to put it on. Nonetheless, support from residents is what makes it possible.
“There is no set amount,” he adds, “everything is welcome” and donations are tax-deductible.