Community Corner

People Come From Across the Bay Area for Foster City's Fourth of July

The cancellation of other nearby fireworks shows sent droves of residents to Foster City to get their fireworks fix this Fourth of July.

Foster City residents turned out in droves for the city's annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks show. So did nearby San Mateo residents, residents of other Peninsula towns and visitors from across the Bay Area, including Oakland, Hayward and San Francisco.

"We've had more people this year than ever before," said Martha Sandy, a Lions Club member who helped man the club's BBQ booth.

Organizers said turnout was amongst the highest they've ever seen, citing the cancellation in recent years of other fireworks shows along the Peninsula, most recently in Redwood City.

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"The evening crowd was larger than the past few years," Foster City Police Capt. Jon Froomin said.

"This was another great City event. We are very pleased with the event and how all activity flowed during the day," said Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Miller. "The attendance was about the same. We projected that we had about 30,000 total for day and evening activities."

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Popular events included the pancake breakfast, family parade, dog show and of course, the fireworks.

"The family parade went very well, again excellent attendance," Miller said.

Alex Jordan and Jay Jordan, both musicians and residents of Foster City for over 20 years, biked over for the pancake breakfast the the dog show.

"I think it's a really great small town American type event," Jay Jordan said. "We go to the pancake breakfast every year. It has a real homey feel to it."

Zane Sawas of Foster city entered Biscuit, her chihuahua mix in the most handsome category of the dog show.

"We thought it would be fun to do," she said.

For Tiye Scott of Oakland, it was her first Foster City Fourth.

"So far, it seems great," she said while waiting for the fireworks to begin. "Everyone seems to be having fun."

"It's a lot more crowded than last year," said Tom Thompson, who also came over from the East Bay to see the fireworks. "But we like the show, especially because it's so near the bocce ball court."

For the first time in the event's history, costs for the event were partially offset by a  $10 parking fee. Overall, residents seemed to understand the need to cover the cost of the event.

"We biked over from our house because of the newly instated fee, which is good thing because it pays for the event," Jordan said.
Organizers said the implementation of the new fee, collected by the Lions Club, went well.

"The paid parking went well.  I believe the Lions Club surpassed their goal of $10,000 to help offset the cost of the event," Froomin "No significant complaints about the parking fee. "

While residents were happy that they celebration was able to go on this year, some wondered if the expensive event would face the budgetary chopping block again next year.

"We were happy it wasn't cut." said Alex Jordan. "It's put on by locals so you know everyone."

Josie Morgan, a resident of Foster City for four years, said that she looks forward to the dog show and fireworks every year, and would be upset to see the event cancelled in years to come.

"It would be sad," she said. "We're keeping our finger crossed."
Miller assured residents that the city government will do its best to keep Foster City's premier event going.

"The policy decision to continue the event will be a City Council responsibility.  Our staff will be recommending continuing this event with ongoing exploration or revenue enhancements to off set event subsidy," he said. "I believe this event is important to the Community as it creates quality of life, supports local economic development and creates an environment throughout the day that celebrates Foster City and Independence Day.  The 2011 event was very successful and is part of a history and tradition of great Fourth of July celebrations in Foster City."


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