The City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County will still have a fireworks show come next July 4th. The Charlottesville Newsplex—CBS 19, ABC 16 and WAHU FOX 27—has agreed to fund the event in future years, Save the Fireworks committee member Ray Cadell announced this morning.
The Newsplex stepped in after the 3-year contract with Dave Matthews Band ended this year.
“We have had a strong desire to create a marquis event for the community…so this made perfect sense,” said Newsplex General Manager and Vice President Brad Ramsey.
Ramsey said the Newsplex had an unique set of skills to take on the fireworks, noting its manpower to get the job done.
Though the Newsplex has agreed to fund the event, Ramsey said it is still working with the City and County for financial aid as well as sponsors who are willing to foot some of the bill.
They are also hoping to involve a local non-profit, Ramsey said.
StellarOne bank will underwrite the event. StellarOne Chairman Bill Heath said the bank agreed to this because the fireworks display is a great demonstration of community and family and that is what “we are all about.”
The 2010 fireworks will be broadcast live on CBS 19 and there will be a live video stream online.