Mustang Days fireworks get one last shot

The fireworks display at Horseshoe Bend that, for many years, has been a part of the Mustang Days celebration in Lovell may come to an end if those attending don’t reach a little deeper in their pockets with their donations.

According to Lovell Fire Captain Bob Mangus, the display costs the all-volunteer fire department about $12,000. Those attending are asked to make a donation to help cover the costs when they attend the event. Mangus said, though some are quite generous, giving as much as $50, others only contribute “a few bucks.”  He said last year in particular brought in more $2 per carload donations than normal, along with a lighter turnout than usual, raising only about $3,000 toward the cost of the event. He said a $10 per car donation would have resolved the problem that ultimately forced those coordinating the event to make up the difference out of their own pockets.

[caption id="attachment_9822" align="alignright" width="213"] David Peck photo[/caption]

“What bothers me is the people who bring in a car full of people and only contribute $2 and then turn around and buy $100 worth of fireworks for their kids at the fireworks stand,” said Mangus. “We put on a really good event, one of the best displays around. If people want to keep seeing a show like that, they’ll have to pay for it. We don’t need every single penny covered, we just need people to be willing to pay more.”

Occasionally the fire department has held fundraisers for the event, but Mangus said he hesitates to ask the firefighters to volunteer more of their time to participate in fundraisers.

“These guys already volunteer a lot of their time putting out fires,” he said.  “They are taken away from their families and their work and we just can’t ask them to put in more time to do fundraisers.”

He said he hesitates to ask local businesses to contribute, since they already contribute to so many other causes.

“Our businesses are being hit up all the time,” he said. “They are already being asked to do enough. It’s not right to ask them to do any more.”

At a special meeting recently, held at the Bighorn Canyon Visitors Center, members of the fire department and law enforcement met with members of the Park Service to iron out some of the details of how this year’s event will unfold. Parking problems and crowd control have been issues in the past. Dale Kissner, Deputy Chief Ranger and acting chief for the National Park Service said, there are still concerns about parking and some areas will be restricted to protect “the resource.”  He said the use of log booms in area “D” seemed to help discourage motorists from parking there, protecting an area that had sustained damage in previous years.

Mangus said advanced warnings about parking seem to discourage people from driving into the area. He noted that there was parking for at least 100 more vehicles available.

A discussion ensued about how more organized parking could allow even more motorists to enter the area. It is estimated that around 800 to 900 vehicles entered the area for the event last year. Sheriff Ken Blackburn noted that many parked along the highway or in adjacent areas to view the fireworks from afar.

Tom Irwin suggested boaters park and launch from the boat ramp at Kane to free up additional parking. There seemed to be some consensus that this would be good for the boaters, as well.

Fleming said more volunteers could help resolve some of the parking issues. She said additional volunteers could help direct motorists to park in a more organized fashion, allowing many more to attend and provide for easier departure when the event is over. Blackburn said using sheriff’s deputies to control traffic allowed motorists to use both lanes to exit the event, making exit much more efficient.

In the past, the Park Service has waived the entrance fee to the park from 6 pm. to midnight on the day of the event. The $75 event fee to the fireman was also waived in the past. Kessner said he wasn’t sure how that would be handled this year.

This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, June 27. A special meeting for volunteers is scheduled for the week prior to the event on Wednesday, June 17, at 1 p.m. Contact Fleming at 548-5402 for more information.

Those wishing to make contributions to the event may contact Mangus at the Fire Hall in Lovell.

“We’d like to keep putting on the event,” said Mangus. “It’s an awesome event with a long history in the area.”

By Patti Carpenter