BIGGS, CA (MPG) - Project Biggs and Biggs Festival Events, non-profit organizations, really brought the small community of Biggs, California to the big stage feeling of comfort, family, and patriotism.

This year’s festivities kicked off with the annual pancake breakfast in the early morning hours of the nation’s day of independence. With over 350 people in attendance, people of all ages from the surrounding communities sat down for some delicious sweet cream pancakes with syrup, some coffee, and juice donated to the event by Steve Andrews, owner of Black Bear Diner in Gridley.

In attendance serving the pancake breakfast were Biggs’ city council members with transcending help from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gridley First Ward. Biggs Festival Events organizer, Brian Bassett, said, “I couldn’t have done it without them.” Bassett is hoping this to be the beginning of a new standing tradition with Fourth of July events where Biggs’ city council members help with serving the pancake breakfast with additional help from local organizations.

During the late morning, Marci Shadd with Project Biggs, helped organize a fantastic annual Independence Day parade in downtown Biggs. With downtown B Street lined with American flags, spectators gathered in chairs or on curbs wearing the pride of red, white, and blue and waving small American flags handed out by Project Biggs organizers.

Those in attendance saw the spectacle of a parade filled with local sports organizations, local businesses, participants of the Miss Butte County Scholarship Program, and this year’s Grand Marshal, Raymie Valverde, who rode through the parade in Roger and Lisa Van DeHey’s 1957 Chevy convertible. The national anthem was sung by Valerie Hopkins with the colors presented by the American Legion South Butte Post 210.

Festivities continued in the evening hours of the day with an array of events at Biggs High School. Due to ongoing construction of the press box and stadium at the football field, festivities were moved to the softball complex where most spectators have sat to watch the fireworks in years past. Merchant vendors, food vendors, water slides for the kids, and a giant stage for live music were set up as entertainment and leisure for those in attendance. Kids played frisbee, others played wiffle ball, some people threw a football around as others lounged in chairs and on blankets enjoying the live music performed by local bands Amahjra (Biggs-based) and Off the Record (Chico-based).

As the night grew darker, more and more people congregated at Biggs High School and the surrounding area in anticipation of the amazing fireworks show. Biggs’ mayor, Nate Wilkerson, welcomed everyone to the show that was about to proceed. Once again, the American Legion South Butte Post 210 presented the colors as Deryk Bissell of Amahjra played the national anthem on the guitar.

Gridley’s Edson Smith, who has been the pyrotechnician for the fireworks show in Biggs since its inception in 2001, got to work with J&M Displays West fireworks. The night sky filled up one by one with colorful displays of light and sound as the crowd watched in amazement. Ones, twos, threes went off at a time, 200 hundred in total, before the grand finale of 200 more fireworks filled the night sky.

And just like that, it was over. The crowds went their separate ways feeling a sense of joy; some already talking about coming back next year to such a great event.

And a great event it is. But one downside to having such a grandiose event is funding. In total, the fireworks, to include liability insurance, and additional costs like the water slides, costs were over $13,000. The entire event is dependent upon the generous donations of local organizations, businesses, and individuals. A special thank you is extended to businesses like Sunwest Milling and CEO Galo Williams, for their continued support each year with their large donations which help cover the cost of about 50 percent of the fireworks.

Without the help of the organizations and individuals the event would not be a success; And with the ever increasing costs, the event might not be able to go on free of charge in future years. If the non-profit organizations are short of funds next year like they were this year, they are considering charging $2 for adults and kids over 12 years of age to make the show go on. A show that has been going on for 18 years needs the financial support of the local communities in Butte County to keep the spectacle alive.

If anyone would like to donate to Project Biggs and Biggs Festival Events, please contact Brian Bassett or Marci Shadd of Biggs.