Other sponsorships being sought, Marina Jack spokesman says, given overall expense of event
The July Fourth fireworks show at the Marina Jack complex on the City of Sarasota’s bayfront will go on this year, The Sarasota News Leader has learned, with Marina Jack partnering with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
However, Greg Corvelle, the regional director of food and beverage for Marina Jack, told the News Leader during a June 3 telephone interview, “We are still actively looking for sponsors.”
As the News Leader reported in mid-May, Patrick Robinson, deputy manager of the City of Sarasota, reported to the City Commission on May 12 that he had learned the previous weekend that Suncoast Charities for Children no longer would host the July Fourth event, which routinely draws thousands of people to Sarasota’s bayfront.
Lucy Nicandri, executive director of Suncoast Charities for Children, explained to the News Leader in a May 13 statement that while the nonprofit had organized the July Fourth Bayfront Fireworks Show for the past 13 years, it no longer could continue to do so because of “a significant decrease in financial support and increased expenses.”
Nine days after his verbal communication to the City Commission about the situation, Robinson had good news for them in a May 21 email update. He noted that Marina Jack “has applied for the required permits to hold the event … So the Downtown Fireworks show WILL go on!”
On June 3, Corvelle pointed out to the News Leader, “Our issue is finding sponsorships to cover the cost of this event. … Fireworks are very expensive,” he stressed. Over the past eight years of his involvement with the show, he added, the cost has continued to rise. “I just keep shrinking the minutes [of the show]” to compensate for that.
Along with paying for the fireworks, Corvelle pointed out, funds are needed to cover port-a-potties, fencing and permit application fees, for examples.
Another issue with which he has to contend, he noted, is the public perception that the City of Sarasota sponsors the event. “The city does partner with us,” he added, but it does not pay for the fireworks.
During Deputy City Manager Robinson’s remarks to the city commissioners on May 12, he emphasized that the fireworks show “is a privately permitted event.”
Even though Selby Gardens is collaborating with Marina Jack for this year’s show, Corvelle pointed out to the News Leader, “We’re still actively looking [for assistance with the expense].” Any member of the public who would like to contribute to the show, he said, may do so by writing a check to Selby Gardens with a note on the check specifying that the funds are for the 2025 July Fourth Fireworks Show.
Selby Gardens traditionally hosts its own ticketed July Fourth event on its grounds. That affords attendees the ability to watch the fireworks over Sarasota Bay, given the close proximity of the Gardens to Marina Jack.
Just this week, a Selby Gardens e-newsletter was distributed with information about the nonprofit’s 2025 “All-American Cookout.” The graphic for that event includes the fact that it will feature a “view of the fireworks over Sarasota Bay.”
Any person who has questions in regard to helping cover the cost of the 2025 fireworks show is welcome to contact him via email, Corvelle told the News Leader. His email address is gcorvelle@suntex.com.