Representatives from the Yucca Valley Rotary Club told the Town Council last night that the club is no longer able to put on the town’s annual Fourth of July fireworks, and asked the town to take over the popular event. The fireworks have an estimated budget of about $35,000. After discussing the possibility of alternating the fireworks show with the City of Twentynine Palms every other year, the council decided to work with the Rotary Club to put on the fireworks show this year, with the idea of sponsoring the event in the future. Managing editor Tami Roleff says the council then heard a request for funding so that the popular Grubstake Days rodeo could be revived. Tomorrow, in part two, we’ll hear what the council decided about sales tax measures…
A group of Yucca Valley residents approached the town council last night asking for $10,000 to help revive the once-popular Grubstake Days rodeo, held during Memorial Day weekend. Led by Missy Buchanan, the group said they have already raised $17,000 of the $35,000 needed to put on the rodeo. When questioned about the rodeo’s location—at Homestead Valley Park in Landers as opposed to town-owned property on Aberdeen and Old Woman Springs Road, Buchanan explained why the site on Aberdeen wasn’t suitable. “The concern was there is no water and no power, and that all costs more money…. And water and power is very important.” Homestead Valley Park, she said, has both water and electricity. Buchanan told council members that the $10,000 would be a one-time-only expense; the anticipated $15 admission charge would provide enough revenue to keep the rodeo going in subsequent years. Council members agreed with Buchanan’s characterization of the Morongo Basin as one big community, and that people would come from all over Southern California for the two-day rodeo. Council member Merl Abel thought giving the rodeo $10,000 was a great idea. “I think the community will think we’re a hero for joining in the cause and bringing the rodeo back to Yucca Valley and the Morongo Basin.” And with that, the council voted 4-0, with Robert Lombardo recusing himself, to give the rodeo a one-time, $10,000 grant.
YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL: FIREWORKS AND A RODEO
