Fireworks Dealer Portland Or

Red hot prize will go to winner of fireworks fundraising raffle

The Stars & Stripes Spectacular Corvette Raffle, being held by the Maine Red Claws Foundation to raise money for the fireworks celebration, features a red beauty with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $65,720.

"It's America's sports car, and I think everyone at one time has dreamed of owning one," said Jack Quirk, owner of Quirk Chevrolet, which provided the car to raise money for next year's fireworks display. "It's a tradition that should continue. We have so many of our own relatives and neighbors that are halfway around the world serving our country in the military. The least we can do is honor our independence."

Tickets can be purchased, for $100 each, at the offices of the Maine Red Claws at 413 Congress St.; at Quirk Chevrolet at 1000 Brighton Ave.; online at www.july4thportland.org ; or by phone at 210-6655. The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. Sept. 15 at the offices of the Red Claws, an NBA Development League team.

A maximum of 1,000 tickets will be sold, and so far about 500 tickets are gone.

Quirk Chevrolet provided the car at a dealer invoice price of $60,552. Raffle proceeds above that amount will help pay for the annual fireworks show. The 2011 event cost about $140,000.

"We hope to make enough money to see the foundation go forward," Jennings said. "We want to fund the Fourth of July for many years to come."

Early in 2010, city budget cuts took away funding for the fireworks, which draw tens of thousands of people.

When that happened, the Red Claws, Wright Express, Quirk Chevrolet and The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram came together to help preserve and expand the community celebration. This year, the group was joined by Bangor Savings Bank.

The 2011 celebration was organized by the July 4th Portland Foundation, a nonprofit group created to privately fund Maine's largest Independence Day celebration. The foundation was created by Jennings; Quirk; Michael Dubyak, chairman and chief executive officer of Wright Express; and Richard Connor, editor and publisher of The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram.

Thursday: Free Oregon Symphony Concert @ Portland Waterfront ...

– Will herald an elaborate fireworks show, complete with military cannons from the Oregon Army National Guard 218th Field Artillery. Before the Oregon Symphony takes the stage, the Portland Youth Philharmonic, led by Music Director David Hattner, will perform an hour-long concert of its own from 5 to 6 p.m. PYP musicians also join the Oregon Symphony for the 1812 Overture . Concert ends with fireworks over the river. The concert is funded by the Regional Arts & Culture Council, including support from the City of Portland, Metro, and Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. Additional support is provided by Portland Parks & Recreation. Presenting sponsors of the concert are NW Natural and KOIN-TV.