Spectators at the 62nd annual Ithaca Community Fireworks Show on Thursday night, July 2, are reminded to park safely and sanely. In particular, parking on state and county highways and road shoulders is not permitted, especially on Route 96B near Ithaca College and along Routes 13, 34, 79, and 96.
State and city police, Tompkins County sheriff's deputies, and other public safety officials will patrol these and additional areas, according to Fran Benedict, chairman of the volunteer committee that organizes the fireworks show. The aerial display, shot from atop Ithaca College's South Hill campus, begins at about 9:45 p.m.
"Spectators who park along a highway before the fireworks show might think it's a safe area, but after the show it's very dark and walking along the shoulder or crossing highways at that time creates an unsafe situation." Benedict added, "It's not only unsafe -- it's illegal."
An alternative to using personal cars is available, Benedict stressed. The local public-transit operator, TCAT, offers free bus service from downtown Ithaca to the Ithaca College campus. Shuttle buses will leave from the shelter in front of the Seneca Street parking garage every 15 minutes beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Following the fireworks, buses will be given priority exit routing, Benedict added. In particular, only buses will be allowed to exit north from campus onto Coddington Road and then down Hudson Street to downtown Ithaca. Bus passengers are urged to park their vehicles in the parking garages on South Cayuga, Green, and East Seneca Streets.
For more information about the TCAT "fireworks express," call 607-277-RIDE (7433). Additional information can be found at communityfireworks.com.
Benedict also reminds spectators about donations for the fireworks show. "The show belongs to the community, but we can't guarantee future shows without adequate funding. Just $5 from each person who watches the show -- whether it's from South Hill or surrounding hillsides, parks, and backyards -- would cover the cost of this year's show and build a reserve for future shows."
Ithaca College has opened its campus parking lots, fields, and facilities for the annual fireworks show, and dozens of volunteers -- including employees of Tompkins Trust Company and members of the Ithaca Elks Lodge -- will be on the Ithaca College campus to collect donations from the public.
"These volunteers will have special outfits and ID cards that identify them. No other groups or individuals are authorized to collect donations on behalf of the fireworks committee or sell memorabilia on the campus or elsewhere in the community," Benedict stressed.
The rain date for the Ithaca Community fireworks show is July 6.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20090629114144492