Organizers have raised $77,000 in private contributions for Mariposa County’s July 4 celebration, including money to pay for a drone show.
Blue Moon Metals has agreed to contribute $40,000 that will pay for the 14-minute drone show Saturday night, said Mariposa County Supervisor Jenni Kiser.
The Ontario-based Blue Moon Metals has a rare earth metals mining operation near Hornitos.
“It’s not just about patriotism, it’s a family friendly event that will bring people to the community,” said Mariposa County Board of Supervisors Chair Danette Toso.
Mariposa County has budgeted $100,000 for the event, but organizers hope to pay for nearly all of it through private contributions and donations from community partners.
“The goal is at least that amount,” Toso said. “We’re getting so close. We’ll do it.”
Kiser said other expenses include commemorative pins for $3,000, a potential television commercial for $3,500, Facebook ads for $1,000 and someone who will do balloon animals for $600.
There will also will be 16 to 18 musical acts on five stages at an expected cost of $5,000.
The celebration will have multiple locations in Mariposa, beginning at the Mariposa Art Park, with vendors on the walkway along Mariposa Creek extending to the parking lot at the south end of County Park Road, which is the location of a farmers market.
Vendors will also be set up on side streets along Highway 140 and at the vacant lot of the old Frost Shop, with additional events at the Mariposa Museum and History Center, which will have a patriotic costume contest.
Highway 140 will remain open for the duration of the weekend event, with the exception of Saturday night for the parade at 7 p.m., followed by the drone show after sunset.
The lighted drones will create a visual history tour featuring iconic historical images of the Southern Sierra Miwuk, the California Gold Rush, Half Dome and the Mariposa County Courthouse.
Private funds are being raised for the event under the auspices of the nonprofit Mariposa Butterfly Festival. Mariposa County is taking on responsibility for obtaining insurance for the event.
Among those donating to the event: Mount Gaines Rock, Jordan Bankhead $1,000; Timmy D $1,000; Mountain Fitness $400; Richard Westfall $5,000; Dorie Bruen $250; Ranch Fence/Twiss Real Estate $5,000; ASI $5,000; Criscom $1,000; PG&E $5,000; Site Logic $2,500; Smoking Oak/Twisted Cedar $400; Happy Goat $250; Eric Weihe – Alltrade Construction $1,000; Lode Gold $400 and Charles Street Dinner Hourse $400.
July 4 will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
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