Planning Begins for July 4, 2005; T-Shirt Sale To Benefit Next Year's Celebration
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - With the 2004 Fourth of July celebration in downtown Grand Rapids on track, local businesses, leaders and concerned citizens have turned their focus to July 4, 2005. To ensure the funding is there for next year's event, environmentalist Peter Wege has come up with a way people can support the downtown fireworks and show their Grand Rapids pride at the same time.

Earlier this month, Wege commissioned local artist Mark Heckman to create an image that represents the spirit of Grand Rapids on the Fourth of July. Heckman's final painting, which shows the Calder decked out in red, white and blue with fireworks in the background, has been placed on a t-shirt that people can purchase for $5.00 with all profits going towards the 2005 Grand Rapids fireworks fund.

What a great idea. It's too bad that they can't line up the corporate bucks, but what a wonderful way for people to pitch in. If it's cool-looking, I'll get one.