LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Breathtaking fireworks

Have you enjoyed or heard about the breathtaking fireworks show that takes place on Lake Murray every year?

Lake Murray’s Independence Day Celebration is a highly anticipate event, with a fireworks display that’s often touted as the largest in South Carolina.

What you may not know is that the display is provided free for all to see thanks to the amazing work done by the staff at Capital City Lake Murray Country. The Capital City Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board (CCLMC) is a 501c (6) organization that promotes the Capital City/Lake Murray Country region of South Carolina.

This small but mighty organization raises the money for the display by hosting the Taste of Lake Murray each year. The “Taste” is another amazing event you also may not be aware of.

The Taste of Lake Murray is held each March and features an evening of fabulous food from restaurants throughout the Midlands, a raffle, auction and live music for a fun time on the dance floor.

The Taste of Lake Murray was another one of the highlights of spring this year. Thanks in large part to corporate sponsors, the evening managed to raise nearly $140,000.

The problems?

For one, the net was $112,000, which didn’t include the many hours of labor the staff incurred planning and organizing the event or the one-time reduced venue rental thanks to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia.

Another problem: CCLMC plans to spend over $130,000 on the fireworks display for our country’s 250th anniversary celebration.

I have had the honor of serving on the board of CCLMC for several years. The brilliant work that the staff manages to do promoting our region and putting on the Taste for the sole purpose of the fireworks display is second to none.

For many, the fireworks are the main attraction of everyone’s July 4th celebration. If you enjoy the show, I would ask that you consider supporting the effort through a donation to CCLMC.

Every dollar raised will go to the fireworks display. Without your support, the fireworks may have to be scaled back or become a thing of the past. We don’t want this to happen; no one does!

Enjoy the breathtaking fireworks display this year as we mark America’s 250th Anniversary. We all have a lot to celebrate and we also owe a huge thank you to Capital City Lake Murray Country for the show!