Nothing is more American than fireworks on the Fourth of Julyholiday. Many credit unions nationwide are doing their part tosupport Independence Day by sponsoring fireworks and other colorful holiday events in their variouscommunities in and around the traditional holiday.

In a showing of across-the-border camaraderie, the $750 millionFibre Federal Credit Union in Longview, Wash., issponsoring the fireworks display for Rainier Days in the Park,which will run July 9-12 at Rainier City Park in Rainier, Ore. Forthe past four years running, the display has been voted bestfireworks on the Columbia River.

Other area businesses also are sponsoring the four day event,including the $183 million St. Helens Community CreditUnion in St. Helens, Ore.

Credit unions elsewhere also are weighing in when it comes tosponsoring the traditional explosions in the sky. Michigan State University Federal CreditUnions, a $2.8 billion institution, and the $600million LAFCU, both based in Lansing, Mich., areamong the sponsors of the 47^th Annual Delta TownshipFireworks display on July 3 in Lansing's Sharp Park. The creditunions provided sponsorship funds that qualified them for theSilver and Gold level sponsorships, respectively.

For the $600 million Leominster Credit Union in Leominster, Mass.,all it took was an $8,000 check (shown at left) to secure thepremier sponsorship of Starburst 2015, the city's annual fireworksextravaganza..

“LCU is delighted to participate in this annual community eventthat brings enjoyment to so many,” LCU President/CEO John O'Briensaid. “We have been involved in this local tradition for nearly 20years, and we are proud to continue our sponsorship of Starburst2015.”

The July 13 event at Leominster's Doyle Field will include musicand other entertainment in addition to the fireworks. The creditunion also is accepting member donations to offset the cost ofStarburst 2015.

A full day of patriotic activities will be capped by the Red,White and BOOM! SkyConcert Fireworks sponsored by the $295 millionMissouri Credit Union in Columbia, Mo. The events,scheduled for July 3 and 4, start with the Red, Bike and Bluebicycle parade around the state capitol in Jefferson City, Mo.,followed by the Little Mr. and Miss Independence Contest sponsoredby the $111 million River Region Credit Union inJefferson City.

Even the Missouri Credit Union Association isgetting into the act, sponsoring the World Championship SandCarving Contest. It's one activity in two days' worth of eventsthat include the Missouri American Water Carnival Land, historicalreenactments, classic cars, funnel cakes, turkey legs, a pettingzoo and, of course, a Budweiser beer tent. Music from Journey andHank Williams Jr. tribute bands will entertain celebrants.

For the $2 billion Robins Federal Credit Union in Warner Robins,Ga., a renewed commitment and a $10,000 check presented to theWarner Robins Civitan Club (shown at left) was all it took to onceagain sponsor the Annual Independence Day Celebration in WarnerRobins.

The July 3 event will take place at the Museum of Aviation andfeature a concert by country artist Darius Rucker, followed by afireworks show. Robins FCU has sponsored the annual celebrationsince 2002.

More than just fireworks will take to the skies over Dubuque,Iowa, on July 3 as the Dubuque Jaycees present the 30^thAnnual Fireworks and Air Show Spectacular high above theMississippi River. Among the event sponsors is the $600million DuTrac Community CreditUnion, headquartered in Dubuque. Inaddition to fireworks, celebrants at the A.Y. McDonald Park andBoat Ramp will be treated to an air show that includes a U.S.Marine Corps Osprey, a U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet and the U.S. ArmyGolden Knights Parachute Team, among other aerial displays.

Denver-area residents will be able to celebrate July4^th with fireworks thanks to sponsorship from $1.5billion Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colo. ECUis the lead sponsor for an evening at Waneka Lake Park inLafayette, Colo., that includes children's activities, music by TheFab 4 (no, not the real Fab 4), a bouncy house and beer garden.Fireworks begin at dusk.

San Mateo Credit Union, with $713 million inassets and located in Redwood City, Calif., is one of severalsponsors for the city's 77^th annual Fourth of Julyparade and fireworks show.

The parade, this year themed “Our American Heritage: TheFabulous '50s,” will wind its way through historic downtown RedwoodCity. The parade will be preceded by a pancake breakfast and funrun and followed by a daylong festival featuring bands, food and“old fashioned family fun”. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. cap the day'sevents.

The board and staff of $2 billionIdaho Central Credit Union, headquartered inChubbuck, Idaho, know how to celebrateIndependence Day. This year ICCU is a major sponsor behind The Biggest Show in Idaho. Theevent, held July 2-4 in Pocatello, is one of numerous July Fourthcelebrations the corporate credit union will participate in acrossthe state.

Events include a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, Fuel Color Runand a free Friday concert featuring, among others, a CreedenceClearwater revival tribute band. On July 4, ICCU and Pocatello'sPortneuf Medical Center will host the Fourth of July Paradestarting at 9:30am.

A vendor's fair and children's play area will fill the BannockCounty Fairgrounds starting at 2 p.m. Free music, includingAmerican Idol finalist Devon Bodkin, will entertain the crowd,followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

ICCU also will help celebrate July 4^th atparades in Caldwell and Rexburg and fireworks in Coeur d'Alene.