Business contributes to fireworks show

Tommy Bahama’s skyrocketed onto the local scene April 20, months before the store and restaurant will open its doors where the Jolly Roger did business for years.

Store representative Debby McDonald announced at the City Council meeting that Bahama’s will match dollar-for-dollar donations up to $10,000 to help fund the annual Fourth of July fireworks.

“We are excited to be a part of Laguna Beach although we won’t be open until later this year,” McDonald said. “This is much more fun than a CUP [conditional use permit] hearing.”

The store and restaurant are scheduled to open in November in the newly renovated Heisler Building.

McDonald was introduced by Michael Gosselin, who is heading up the Laguna Board of Realtors’ volunteer effort to raise the $25,000 to pay for the fireworks, which the council had eliminated from the budget.

Gosselin announced that 150 tickets have been sold for the fundraising picnic on Sunday at Alta Laguna Park. Residents are encouraged to attend.

The picnic will include music by the popular Blues Offenders, children’s activities, a silent auction and a catered luncheon — with help from local restaurants, Gosselin said.

Volunteers are needed.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children.

T-shirts and tickets are on sale at the Laguna Board of Realtors office, 939 Glenneyre St.

If more than $25,000 is raised, the city manager informed Gosselin that the board could tell the city what to do with the money, which would include saving it for next year’s show, or keep it for a donation next year, according to Gosselin.

For more information about the event or volunteering, visit www.savelagunafireworks.com or call (949) 874-9293.