Watch 4th of July Fireworks from Keefer Island, Idaho Falls
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Poor Keefer Island sits unused and seemingly unwanted in Idaho Falls‘ Snake River stretch. The city used to shoot our fireworks off from the north end of the island. When Frank took over with with the awesome Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, he deployed so many fireworks as to outgrow the island space and they have been shot off from the boat docks ever since.
A buddy of mine has said for years they ought to do something special with Keefer Island during the fireworks. He suggested they clear some of the brush and put out 30 or 40 folding chairs. Then a clear plexiglass cover arranged like a gable roof could be erected over the island spectators. Any fireworks that came their way would hit the plexiglass cover and fall off the side into the Snake River. Imagine the sweet Idaho Falls fireworks view from the middle of the Snake River!
Perhaps Frank Vandersloot would get first rights to the island seats, but more likely the city would choose the disbursement since the island is still city-owned property. Of course Idaho Falls could sell or auction the seats off to the highest bidder, and the proceeds could go towards greenbelt improvements or even local educational scholarships.
A better plan would be to give the tickets to local heros and good samaritans. Mayor Fuhriman could keep a running list through each year when people make the news for saving a drowning person, saving someone with the heimlich maneuver, saving someone from a fire, going out of their way to help others, etc. The Mayor could announce the list of “Keefer Island Heros” in late June, and give them placeholder spots for their friends and family. This method would likely make a bigger impression on visitors about Idaho Falls values than just auctioning the seats off to the highest bidder, and would demonstrate a great example to our youth.
However it works out, many locals would like to see our Keefer Island asset be used more effectively, and especially be involved in local fourth of July festivities again.
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Comments
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0 Great idea Joe. Has anyone thought of selling spots out there and then donating the money to a non-profit group or homeless shelter to hep benefit the community? Just another idea for use of the island.
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0 0 I’ve been thinking all day about this idea of honoring local heroes in this manner.
Can you imagine the positive energy it would create in Idaho Falls?
Besides doing a great thing, it would probably bring even more people to our fireworks show.
It would also probably create many positive write-ups in many nationwide publications, and that would be great for Idaho Falls also.
We would get as much back as we put into it.
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0 0 I think this is a great idea and agree with all the options mentioned by Joe and others. I do think it is great that FV does the fireworks and I have nothing but admiration for him, but I would’t give him any say on who could set there. It should be a city sponsored event, I’m sure FV would be happy to work the recognition angle into the show. Again great idea.
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0 0 I also agree it should be a city sponsered event, but thanks to FV for stepping up and contributing. I just think he can contribute to the city’s fireworks show without wanting to take full credit for it.
Otherwise great ideas mentioned.
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0 0 I have always wondered if I could take my canoe and paddle over to Keefer Island and watch the fireworks? Is it off limits during the fireworks? I have been tempted to do it.
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0 0 Thats funny you mention that. I thought the same thing last year when i was sitting on the banks of the river!
Last year was my first year to see IF’s fireworks show and I was wondering why don’t they use that island to shoot off the fireworks? I think it would be a much better place. I remember sitting there and some of the tree’s would block the fireworks show. I saw others moving to different locations as well. I would think putting it on that island would solve that problem no?
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0 0 Very interesting comments. Mine are meant only as “extendors” to what others have written.
I think the fireworks display is far too large to ever return to Keefer Island. That being said, I suddenly wondered why the community isn’t “growing the display?” so to speak.
What I mean is, with Snake River Landing and Taylor’s Crossing now becomming daily words and parts of our lives (SRL - will- trust me), should the show be extended farther down the river, potentially allowing more people to enjoy?
The infrastructure may not be there yet, but SRL with Gem Lake, offers some interesting opportunities as well.
I’m not saying compete with what FV contributes, he is one citizen who feels strongly about this and I think there are others who have equal feelings of patriotism. Personally, I don’t give a rip who can write what off in business taxes, when so many people enjoy a spectacular show at little to no cost to them.
So I say grow the celebration. I read somewhere - perhaps I.F. Magazine (or another Harris Publication about Idaho Falls - maybe a Visitor’s Guide?) that the celebration would include much more daytime activities. Perhaps more like a festival or gathering with vendors.
I LOVE the idea of honoring local heros, be they our local men who rescued Leslie Watson and her daughter, or soldiers from any era.
NufSaid and I, both seem to see the potential for Keefer Island seating to become a fund raising event too.
Consequently, these are the questions I propose:
1. Who can grant permission for seating on Keefer Island? Is that a city thing?
2. I love both ideas about honoring local heroes and the possibilitiy of raising more $ for the Greenbelt and/or other charity.
3. SO, how about asking private businesses (or individuals who want to donate) to sponsor X amount of seats for each Hero and Family? Why limit ourselves to either one choice or another?
Private business could be recognized as the sponsors of a local hero. Yet, the local hero will get the honor he/she deserves.
4. Additionally, I like the idea of using the money for the Greenbelt. More and different festivalts and activities could occur on our Greenbelt, if it was longer and well cared for.
5. Maybe if fireworks were distibuted over more miles of the Greenbelt, more people would attend the event. Consequently, the street vendors and all day festivals could continue to provide a fun time and raise revenue for the Greenbelt, or perhaps other needed recreational facilities in Idaho Falls, or chairty.
Or, maybe it’s best to keep the fireworks where they are, but develop different day activities along the rest of the developing Greenbelt.
I think all sorts of activities for visitors of all ages could be developed up and down the greenbelt. I totally agree with Joe’s idea to honor the military members and local hereos who have sacrificed in ways many of us don’t know.
Let FV sponsor the Fireworks, but let others in the community develop the day into possibly a couple of days of activities (which is more $ from visitors) and fun.
Selling wrist bands for a full day or even two of Greenbelt activities as well as a Greenbelt seat for the fireworks seems logical to me. Even $1.00-2.00/peron, would also raise a lot of money for our Greenbelt. The Greenbelt provides a lot of relaxation, beauty and national recognition when others look at pics of Idaho Falls.
You may ask what about the Day Festival I mentioned. My answer is first check what is being planned. Then, if the offerings are not adequate for your family, friends or others (to draw more to the celebration and fun), then propose a business or acitivity you would like to see occur. Then go to work teaming up with others to make it happen.
If the City is starting to develop the Festival Concept more, now is the time to get in on the ground floor and decide what type of booths or services you, local clubs and service groups or even businesses such as restaurants that set up small booths selling their food, would like to have at a gathering or Festival.
I like all the ideas presented. I just encourage all to think bigger. Let business sponsor the “Seats of Honor,” for those who should be there during the fireworks. Then, let businesses, private individuals, clubs etc. set up booths on more of the Greenbelt - it is time we start talking about Pancheri and John’s Hole Bridge as part of the same celebration. And have different activities and booths along the river.
If you’ve never seen the San Antonio River, find a picture of it and what San Antonio did to totally change a “dump” into something really nice. Plus, my idea about water taxis etc, well the River in San Antonio has slower water, but nonetheless provides transportation on the water.
Has anyone every thought of just providing “boat tours” of Idaho Falls from the Snake River? Big business if building on the Snake River, with the Marriott and others coming. Now is the time for the “small, local guy” to get his/her businesses started and established.
So many possibilities…….
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I still like this idea, especially to reserve the seating for local heroes and their families in the past year.
I think this year we would nominate those guys that helped the lady who drove out over the river, and local soldiers. Who would you nominate?
I could see them moving out to the island by boat at about 9:30 pm, and a big loudspeaker announcing to everyone on the greenbelt what it’s about, who the people are, what they did to deserve the honor, ask for applause.
Imagine the 100k+ people applauding for local heroes, how nice that would sound?
I think it would be very inspirational to everyone, encourage everyone to go out of their way to help people and be a hero in any way they can.
Plus it would be a neat use of the Keefer Island during the fireworks.