Clovis Kiwanis cancels Freedom Fest fireworks show, blaming lack of funds

Clovis Kiwanis club has canceled its Fourth of July fireworks show and festival, citing a lack of “substantial sponsorship.”

In a news release Tuesday, the service club said it has been unable to raise money needed to continue Clovis Freedom Fest, which it has put on for 17 years. Hundreds attended last year’s event at Clovis High’s Lamonica Stadium.

“It breaks my heart that the community won’t be able to continue the Freedom Fest tradition this year,” Kiwanis president Matt Tresesi was quoted as saying.

According to Kiwanis trustee Eddie DeLeon, the club hopes to find a major sponsor and bring back the festival in 2018, “but 2017 Freedom Fest isn’t going to happen.”

It's a different story in Visalia, which is close to restoring its Fourth of July fireworks show, last held in 2014.

The city is offering $20,000 toward expenses if a group will take on the show this year and, hopefully, keep it going from year to year.

The show had been held for nearly 50 years at Mineral King Bowl but reportedly lapsed when the group hosting the event had trouble getting volunteers.

This story was originally published April 25, 2017 at 8:34 AM with the headline "Clovis Kiwanis cancels Freedom Fest fireworks show, blaming lack of funds."