Would you sponsor New Year's Eve fireworks?

I am never in Negril for New Year's Eve, but I have a friend who always is and we are both licensed fireworks manufacturers. We've spoken with Alfred several times about the NYE fireworks he has done on the Negril beach in prior years. The cost of the fireworks is too much for him to handle alone, and he has never been successful in getting other businesses to contribute. That's why there were not fireworks last year. In case you aren't aware, fireworks events of that size run several thousand dollars.

I was wondering whether there are enough willing boardies to actually help support the fireworks display. I'm thinking along the lines of a $100. contribution. This is in line with what many municipal displays collect for "VIP seating". Maybe Alfred could do something special to reward his sponsors, such as have T-shirts made up and each person to send that amount gets a T-shirt, and maybe free drinks or something to anyone wearing the T-shirt NYE.

Note that this is just me sounding people out an idea, this has not yet been proposed to Alfred and won't be unless I think I have a shot of making it happen. And I'm doing this just because in general I'm in favor of fireworks. If 20 or more people say they'd kick in the money, then I'd attempt to move forward with it. It may be too late for this year in any event.

I'd be in for that.

Good idea!

I'll never forget the Millenium Fireworks Display at Alfreds on 12/31/2000!

Enjoy,

VVHT

Nice idea! I love fireworks, normally drop 3 or 4 bills on my own show on the 4th. Can't commit to it just yet as I'm unsure of group plans for NYE but I'm gonna run this by some folks...

You can count us in. We've enjoyed Alfred's New Years Eve fireworks for a lot of years and were disappointed last year when he was unable to put on the show. We are long time members of the Pyrotechnics Guild International so we love a good fireworks display. 4th of July is better than Christmas to my husband.

I think that there are many who would contribute, but 100$ will be steep for many small businesses in Negril ( particularly off season when you will need to collect the money) I know that even though we are on the West end (Canoe Bar) we enjoy the display and would love to contribute. I also think that you need to create a secure way to verify the collection and use of contributions, as there have been many and frequent scams and misuse of charitable funds in the past, not saying this is the case, but should be a consideration. Please keep us posted.

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Originally Posted by patty_k

I think that there are many who would contribute, but 100$ will be steep for many small businesses in Negril ( particularly off season when you will need to collect the money) I know that even though we are on the West end (Canoe Bar) we enjoy the display and would love to contribute. I also think that you need to create a secure way to verify the collection and use of contributions, as there have been many and frequent scams and misuse of charitable funds in the past, not saying this is the case, but should be a consideration. Please keep us posted.

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Yes...very well stated...Patty!

Before any more ideas get thrown around & anybody gives anyone money...Rob will be talking to Alfred & the business community very shortly.
Personally, I think this should really be handled on a local level...but Rob will let you all know soon....

Keep me posted as I would contribute if I had a secure way to do so as Patty has said.

wrtiii nice thought at least you put it out there. Maybe go about it differently so you get the credit for it.

If it can be handled on a local level, fine. However, I do understand that even $100. is a lot for Negril businesses in the off season, that's why I came up with this idea. As Nancy Marie will attest, those of us in the PGI turn thousands of dollars into smoke and memories every year.

And of course I know about scams, and that there would be a credibility issue as for anything new. Note that I did not ask for money, just for an expression of interest to gauge whether the idea might be viable. I actually deal with this all the time (getting donations to support fireworks displays). Alfred would need to order the fireworks from a licensed explosives importer, who would be able to provide an itemized invoice. Fireworks are easy in a way because you can't divert them to other purposes, resell them or just stash them, as they are federally controlled - more tightly in Jamaica than in the US.

Bnewbie, do let us know what Rob finds from Alfred and the business community.

Yes Negril Treehouse has contributed over the years thru Negril Chamber of Commerce. Alfred started it ans "Some" of us chipped in. I also collected for the Chamber - if Alfred is willing so am I to knock on doors and contribute
Can all ask where ever they stay or dine ? Would they contribute and I can thru the Chamber collect if they are in agreement. Believe it or not some BIG ALL Inclusives did not contribute ?? it is a great thing for Jamaicans in the community to see. Gail Jackson

Hi all! I'm so exited to say I'm going to go for New Years and one of the reason that I made this decision is because I wanted to spend New Years at Alfreds and see the Fire Works!!! in my opinion I would love to make a contribution for 20, 30 dollars, but 100 would be too much! I think more people would contribute if they could contribute whatever they could. And of course I would have to know that Alfred's and other business Canoe and Treehouse where involved in the collection of this money. I hope this work out because my dream trip is coming true!!

Well said Gail! One of the things that has always blown me away about Alfred's display is the way it drew thousands of people from all over, of all ages, to the beach on New Years Eve. That collective good energy that this generated always seemed the ideal way to launch the next year, it would be great to keep this going.

Count Mi Lady and I in!

Yes, I would contribute.

Ted and I would contribute. He watches from our veranda and I watch from my bed. LMAO.

I'm in. Not only for us in Negril for NYE, but this was always a treat for the locals. Remember you can see the display from anywhere on the beach or on the cliffs. I'll watch the post for further details. Great idea wrtiii

I'd be glad to contribute.

count us in. and will lobby Cindy and Alfred

Count Andy & I in on helping, not sure we could do the $100.00 but could do as Bea mentioned in her above post.

I'm in!

So any decisions on this yet!? Would like to know if Alfred is having a New Years Party!

I would chip in.

MsKat

I am just waiting to hear back from Rob as to whether this can be handled locally. I'm still willing to help if that is needed.

I say lets go. We can do this Do you know the firework vendor? We can set up one of those fundraising things on line that keeps track of amounts and donors. Complete transparency. Let's get it on. Not sure who has to give permission.

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Originally Posted by Seveen

Not sure who has to give permission.

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The one with the most views gets to give permisison, and I say TWO THUMBS UP hahahaha .... Ya mon, mi soon come.

Found a vendor. Will call in the morning. Hope we have enough lead time. Like someone told me once. - it's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission :-)

We can do this one right if we get enough people to throw in. This is no pipe dream if as a community people throw a little bit in. Why not give a little back to the locals that works so hard to ensure that you have a great time in THEIR neighborhood. It would be nice to see this go beyond a website discussion. This one deserves more discussion......

Update tomorrow. I wonder how much the "with love Seveen" firework will cost. :-)

We will be there for New Year's and would love to donate towards a fireworks show! Let me know how to make a donation.
Thanks, Baylee :-)

Let's be serious. Alfred's show typically costs upwords of $8,000 USD and there is less than a month to go. Alfred is probably the only one who can put it together, with his experiance with regulations, permits, and insurance. If it is going to happen, it must get started in the next few days. If people are serious, contact Alfred's directly and make your contribution (credit card). Alfred is finest kind and will do the right thing, but $8000 is just way to much for anyone to take on. Let's step upif we really want this to happen.

Edited. :-)

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Originally Posted by freezin

Let's be serious. Alfred's show typically costs upwords of $8,000 USD and there is less than a month to go. Alfred is probably the only one who can put it together, with his experiance with regulations, permits, and insurance. If it is going to happen, it must get started in the next few days. If people are serious, contact Alfred's directly and make your contribution (credit card). Alfred is finest kind and will do the right thing, but $8000 is just way to much for anyone to take on. Let's step upif we really want this to happen.

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So are you taking the lead on this? I cannot dedicate my time or energy to it but I can make a handsome donation if that is what is needed to get this going. I'm sure you can get many boardies to contribute whether it is $5 or $500, what is lacking is someone to partner up with Alfred or who have you that can actually make it happen.

We're making progress! More info soon. Please join Alfred's Ocean Palace Facebook page.

And it's not too late. I hear it was always a last minutes scramble.

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Originally Posted by booger

So are you taking the lead on this? I cannot dedicate my time or energy to it but I can make a handsome donation if that is what is needed to get this going. I'm sure you can get many boardies to contribute whether it is $5 or $500, what is lacking is someone to partner up with Alfred or who have you that can actually make it happen.

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Alfred will take the lead. We just need to get those dollars ready!

After speaking with Alfred yesterday, he already received a quote for the costs involved, has gotten the regulatory permits in action and is seeking local sponsorship and donations from the local community concerned entities.

He does appreciate this excitement and support, but he is a cautious business man. He is aware that any fundraising needs to be handled in the appropriate manner. One of the obvious concerns is that if donations are made but not enough funds are raised and the fireworks do not take place this year, there would be issues that would need to be dealt with and that could cause problems. This aspect must be considered by all involved.

So, at this point, I think he is leaning towards setting up a local bank account where donations could be made all year long, and people can be kept aware of how the funds are adding up for the next year's fireworks. Alfred is hoping to be able to secure local support and I am sure that all the interest shown here will certainly help as incentive to get the local support more interested.

Thanks for your interest and posting in this thread! There will be more information coming in the next week or so....

There are some fundraising apps online that keep track of every donor and donation and allow for refunds in the event the event doesn't take place.

Thank you for your support. A little birdie told me.

First beer on me when I get there. <grin>. Wait until you see that little boy I used to bring with me.

Hi Rob, what is the estimated cost from Alfred for getting the New Years eve fireworks show?
We will definitely contribute towards it. Thanks, Baylee

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Originally Posted by Rob

After speaking with Alfred yesterday, he already received a quote for the costs involved, has gotten the regulatory permits in action and is seeking local sponsorship and donations from the local community concerned entities.

He does appreciate this excitement and support, but he is a cautious business man. He is aware that any fundraising needs to be handled in the appropriate manner. One of the obvious concerns is that if donations are made but not enough funds are raised and the fireworks do not take place this year, there would be issues that would need to be dealt with and that could cause problems. This aspect must be considered by all involved.

So, at this point, I think he is leaning towards setting up a local bank account where donations could be made all year long, and people can be kept aware of how the funds are adding up for the next year's fireworks. Alfred is hoping to be able to secure local support and I am sure that all the interest shown here will certainly help as incentive to get the local support more interested.

Thanks for your interest and posting in this thread! There will be more information coming in the next week or so....

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Any new developements?