Fireworks crew donate to Sept. 2 show, issue challenge for $10K still needed

Fireworks are always a source of joy for those who love the aerial pyrotechnics.

But for Jeff and Ellen Flood, Gloucester’s show last month was a source of great despair because the fireworks had to be shot off in a thick fog that was not forecasted.

The Floods both are lead shooters for the fireworks, with Jeff taking the lead on Gloucester’s July 3 show and Ellen taking the lead on the Labor Day show, which takes place during Gloucester’s Schooner Festival and 400+ anniversary.

The inclement weather on July 2 prompted the Gloucester Fireworks and the Boulevard Concerts committees to postpone the July 3 fireworks show and concert to Saturday, July 8.

But that event turned into a “cotton candy” show, said Jeff Flood.

“I cried when I got home. My wife did too. You have no idea how much time goes into designing this to make it spectacular for the crowd,” he said. “It was all laid out for naught. Once it’s loaded, I can’t take it back out because it’s just too dangerous. No one saw this coming.”

He and some other crew are so upset that they are making donations to help raise the remaining money needed for the Labor Day show, which is just under about $10,000.

For Barry Pett, who leads the Fireworks Committee, fundraising is always an ongoing effort, especially in years when the donations lag. He has been organizing the show for the last 33 years; and his niece Isabel Pett has been assisting him in recent years.

The goal, as in previous years, is to raise $30,000.

“I was so distraught at the July show and I said to Izzy (Isabel) that I’m going to put out a challenge. I know some people donate every year so my hope is to encourage new people to donate,” said Flood.

The Sept. 2 shoot time is 9:15 p.m. for this fireworks display to ensure that the Boat Parade of Lights has ended, added Pett.

The Floods have been involved in the Gloucester show for the past 30 years.

“We were all disappointed. We’ve been trying to provide the best fireworks on the North Shore,” said Jeff Flood. “And I want to thank Barry for all his efforts. This show is important to me. I’m 67 and I’ve been doing this almost half of my life, and between the two of us is 60 years of experience.”

Anyone wishing to donate may do so by visiting thegloucesterfund.org for details. Or go to the “Gloucester Fireworks” Facebook page for a Venmo link.

Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-675-2706, or at [email protected].

Anyone wishing to donate to Gloucester's Labor Day fireworks on Sept. 2 at 9:15 p.m. show may do so by visiting thegloucesterfund.org online, or by mailing a check to: The Gloucester Fund, 45 Middle St., Gloucester MA 01930, and noting “fireworks” on the memo line. Or go to the "Gloucester Fireworks" Facebook page for a link for Venmo.

The 39th Gloucester Schooner Festival will be a homecoming for the 156-foot Ernestina-Morrissey, the oldest visiting schooner this year, havin…

Home delivery and Digital Access customers of the Gloucester Daily Times get deals for restaurants, hotels, attractions and other businesses, locally and across the country.

See our e-edition for a full replica of today’s newspaper. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, see our special entertainment pages with TV listings, comics and puzzles.