SAN MARCOS, Calif. (KGTV) - The City of San Marcos is turning to crowdfunding to make up for budget shortfalls in their 4th of July plans.
For the second straight year, the city set up a GoFundMe website to raise money for fireworks. This year's goal is $5,500.
City officials tell 10News the city already pitches in $15,000 to pay for entertainment, security, permits and other costs associated with their annual Fireworks Extravaganza.
They also say traditional donations have brought in about $17,000 for fireworks. But the fireworks show costs $30K.
"I can tell you, it's the best show in North County," says San Marcos Recreations Programs Manager Andrea Gonzalez. "It's a real show-stopper."
Last year's GoFundMe brought in more than $4,000. Gonzalez says the city still solicits donations from past donors through the mail and phone calls, but those have been down over the last few years. They decided to get creative and make it easier for people to chip in.
"It's a lot easier to get on your Facebook page and contribute to a GoFundMe with one click than having to write a check," says Gonzalez.
Other 4th of July celebrations have done the same thing. The Lake Murray fireworks show raised $77,000 last year through GoFundMe. This year they're up to $68,000 in donations.
Meanwhile, La Jolla cancelled their show in 2018 because of a lack of funding.
Gonzalez says this year's fireworks party will go on as planned, no matter how much money they can raise. But falling short of their goal could put next year's show in jeopardy.
