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Couple's $18,000 Donation Saves Tarpon Springs' July 4th

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 3, 2008

A donation saved the Fourth of July fireworks display for Tarpon Springs that a tight budget forced the city to cancel.

Dave and Lisa Ulgenalp, owners of bd's Mongolian Grills in Central and West Central Florida, gave the city $18,000 for the fireworks.

The restaurant owners live in Tarpon Springs.

A pinched budget this year meant the city commission had to eliminate the fireworks display and use the $22,500 to repair part of the city's emergency AM radio station.

Plant City, St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island, all cities that had fireworks displays in 2007, have cut the fuse for the shows this year.

The Treasure Island City Commission tonight will consider accepting a donation that would put the display back on.

Corporate sponsorships will pay for fireworks in Largo and St. Petersburg. Without the financial help, Largo would not have a show this year and St. Petersburg would have struggled to find the money.

The Tarpon Springs display will be at dusk July 4. Fred Howard Park at 1700 Sunset Drive is the best place to view the show.

Global Towers had donated $5,000 to pay for an alternate event, a picnic at Craig Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 4, that will be held in addition to the fireworks display.

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