Photo courtesy of Perry Chamber of Commerce

On Saturday evening, the annual Perry Fourth of July fireworks display once again treated the community to a colorful night sky. However, the bigger spectacle was the effort from the public that went into paying for the show.

That all wrapped up Saturday afternoon with the conclusion of the yearly round-up fundraiser at the Perry Fareway and Hy-Vee. The friendly competition between the two grocery stores wound up being the tipping point that put the Chamber of Commerce over their goal of $12,500 raised in the fireworks drive, which was the first time that’s happened in recent memory. That fact was made even more impressive by the knowledge it was done in just the three weeks leading up to Independence Day. For the round-up, Fareway was able to provide $1,359.68 this year, which Store Manager Travis Landgrebe said was right in line with what they typically raise. Perry Chamber of Commerce Director Lynsi Pasutti said she’s currently unsure exactly how much was collected at Hy-Vee, though she knows it was enough to meet the fundraising goal.

The other sources of money for the fireworks drive included the inaugural Big Boom Bracket Battle, which raised nearly half of the money needed at just under $6,000, and private donations from around the community. Pasutti said she was overwhelmed by the show of community support in light of the difficult times created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but she also felt it demonstrated the pride Perry residents have in their fireworks display and their desire to have something normal in a time that has been anything but. She’s hopeful next year will be just as successful, with the return of the annual pie auction to go along with the second year of the Big Boom Bracket Battle and the next round-up fundraisers.