By Staff
The Niles Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce members were proud to once again sponsor the 2007 Fireworks on Tuesday, July 3. This event was held at the Apple Festival Fairgrounds at 17th and Lake streets in Niles.
For me that day began with my alarm clock going off at 5:30 a.m. I got up and looked out the windows to check on the weather (yes it was still dark and I couldn't see a thing.) I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard the forecast, because I knew then our 2007 Fireworks show was a go!
Each year a lot of planning goes into each Fireworks show. Contracts for the Fireworks must be completed, food and beverage concession lined up. Traffic control is coordinated with our City's finest – the men and women of the Niles Police and Fire departments.
About 10 days before the show, we contact some of our volunteers who have helped us in the past. Each year 35 volunteers are needed to direct traffic at each of our gates.
Our thanks to the wonderful volunteers from the Berrien County Civitan Club, the Niles Noon Optimist Club, private citizens and our Chamber Ambassadors.
This year's show would not have been possible without the generous support from the contributors: Aacoa Extrusion, Aaron's Sales &Lease, AEP, Alro Steel, Richard Beckermeyer DDS, Belle Plaza Party Store, Berrien Teachers Credit Union, Bodek and Rhodes, Brentwood Assisted Living, Pat and John Cary, Chemical Bank, City of Niles, Clark's Service, Coldwell Banker R.E. Specialists, Cook Drilling, County Line Animal Clinic, Curves, Dana F. Cole &Co., David Johnson DDS, Phyllis Davis, Dr. Bieneman DDS, Dr. Robert Todd &Associates, East Main Gardens, Edgewater Bank, Edward Jones Investments (Greg Surber), EJ's Homeplate, Fifth Third Bank, First National Bank, Fisher Innovative Technology, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Furniture Find, Glen Meek Auto Body, God's Green Earth, Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union, Hacker's Golf &Games, Maurice Hahn, Hampton Inn &Suites, Haslett &Gaynor PC, Hob Nob Bistro, Holiday Inn Express, Hunziker's, Integrity Real Estate, Bill and Mary Kelly, Klimek Enterprises, Lakeland Medical Center, Lakeshore Home Builders, Lasalle Bank, Law office of Carol M. Bealor, Lowe's, Lucky 7, M.A.A.C. Property Services, Majerek's Hallmark &Reader World, Martin's Super Market, Martin's Yard &Garden, Millennium Steakhouse, Mintech, Modineer, Mollison Law Office, Morningside Nursing and Memory Care, Mutual Services, National Standard, Niles Shell, Niles Vision Clinic, One Day Signs, Packard Industries, Personnel Management, Pizza Hut, Plaza Restaurant, Prime Table Restaurant, Quality Glass, R &M Manufacturing, Radio Shack, Ramer Products, Rana's Hair Salon, Re-Max Modern Realty, Red Shoe Jewelry, Rise N Shine Cafe, Riverfront Cafe, Riveridge Manor, RX Optical, Ron and Linda Sather, Schilling's Auto Wash, Shelton's Farm Markets, Silverbrook Manor, Simplicity Pattern, Snyder's Pools and Spa, Southwestern Medical Clinic, State Farm Insurance (Mel Bookout), Stateline Dairy Queen, Don Stone, P.C., Subway, Tans Down Under, The Barrett Place, The Flower Cart, The Huntington Bank, The Milton Home, The Tavern, The UPS Store, Toefco Engineering, Tyler Automotive, Tyler Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, United Federal Credit Union, Vander Werf Energy, Victory Lube, Walgreen's, Wal-Mart, Weegen's Bro's Salvage, West Woods of Niles, Whispering Pines Kennel, Williamson Employment and Zolman Tire.
I would also like to thank Chamber staff members Karla Pierce and Nicole Dominguez; also Mike Pierce, Michiana Recycling, Joy's Johns, Niles Police and Fire department, Niles Community Schools, Apple Festival and the F &F All Seasons Fireworks Company.
It's wonderful to see our community come together as Americans to celebrate our Nation's heritage.
See you at next year's Fireworks!