Three cheers: that show will go on

WHAT a great, feel-good Seattle story. The city's only remaining Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza, at Lake Union, was headed for the history books until KIRO-FM radio host Dave Ross and local restaurateur Tom Douglas kicked into gear.

A banner headline in Thursday's Seattle Times proclaimed the show's demise, "No Fireworks for the Fourth," because of a lack of a title sponsor. Then Ross and Douglas began what they said was an unplanned, on-air campaign to save the event. Douglas is a board member of One Reel, the nonprofit organization that sought backers for 15 months; One Reel has produced the fireworks for years.

Almost like an auction, where one item caught on big, Douglas began with a $5,000 donation and challenged other business owners to join him. That was followed by Ross's offer of $1,000.

The spark had been lit. Local businesses raised $79,000 toward the $500,000 price tag. Then Microsoft and Starbucks announced they would match private donations up to a maximum of $250,000. It was all streaks of bright cheerful light after that.

That evening, Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc. offered $50,000 and by 10 p.m. Thursday, the tally was nearly $450,000, with more coming in. As of Friday, it was a done deal. The show will go on. Who does not love that?

Notably, the show was saved by an inspired talk-show host, numerous individual and business donors, backed by New Seattle money. This was not old giants such as Boeing coming in as marquee sponsors.

It was Seattle's newer companies and a lot of local businesses and individuals who give a rip about something low-tech and fun, the July Fourth fireworks spectacular.

Take a bow, all. You saved a summertime tradition and made your city proud.