Fireworks lit up the mountains as they exploded over Seeley Lake, July 4. The Tamaracks Resort put on the professional display from the middle of the lake so it could be viewed from all the public beaches. Only half of the cost of the show had been raised as of July 6. See the end of the article for how to donate.
Jeff Kimmel rebuilt the platform on the Chamber's barge and is securing and assembling the fireworks for the Fourth of July display. His wife Jessica said it was amazing how much work he put into the project. They hope the barge platform will be good for several more years.
Two kayakers enjoy the sunset over Seeley Lake before turning to watch the community fireworks display July 4.
The Chamber barge before Jeff Kimmel and other volunteers rebuilt it. The platform was completely replaced by the Seeley-Swan High School shop class in 2017. Due to being stored outside and damage from past displays, it needed to be replaced.
The fireworks were all mounted and wired July 4 for the professional display over Seeley Lake done by Tamaracks Resort.
Mortars flew as high as 500 feet during the nearly 15 minute show.
As dusk approached Seeley Lake's Fourth of July, Tamaracks Resort owners Jessica and Jeff Kimmel waited patiently as the first ever fireworks show that they put on for the community was about to begin.
"Right at 10:30 p.m. all the boats on the water started honking their horns and we armed the barge, punched in the code and hit go," said Jessica. "And 28 seconds later it went off."
The display went off without a hitch. In past years the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the official community fireworks display contracting with a company from Bozeman. This year, due to coronavirus concerns, the Chamber opted to not to do it, leaving the community with no professional fireworks display.
The Kimmels decided they could do it instead and went through the process of becoming trained at building and launching a fireworks display. They first went to Helena, where they went through a training program to make sure they could operate the complex firework system on their own.
"They teach you how to test the equipment and how to set it all up," said Jeff. "There's a couple things you can screw up, but I think we paid pretty close attention and asked all the right questions."
Next they had to set up the actual display. The Chamber loaned their barge to the Kimmels. Pyramid Mountain Lumber donated lumber to rebuild the platform. The platform is usually replaced every few years due to it being outside year round and the occasional firework that bursts through a wood panel.
After restoring the platform, different colored firework mortars filled the boat, each connected with a wire that would electronically time the release of the display. The overall budget for the firework show was $6,000 dollars, a price the Tamaracks paid with hope the community would help cover some costs. As of Monday, July 6 they had raised nearly $3,000. Usual headline sponsors did not contribute because this year's show was held by a for-profit business, not a non-profit organization.
"We knew going into it that if we didn't get the money then we would be covering it," Jessica said. She was more focused on getting a fireworks show for the community, a town where she feels fireworks are the name of the game for the Fourth of July.
The only roadblock left for the show to commence was getting it through town, which took some extraordinary support from the Missoula County Sheriff's Office.
"In the final moment we realized we needed a police escort to get through town," said Jessica. "Captain [Bill] Burt of [Missoula County Sheriff's Office] came to our house and escorted us with the lights and the things all the way through town and into the resort which was amazing."
Once launched, the barge made it to a rest just North of the Seeley Lake campground, and was visible all over the lake. Jessica said the experience was great.
"It was really cool to show [the barge] to people," Jessica said. "Setting it up and charging everything was awesome."
The Kimmels appreciated the help from many local volunteers and businesses and the Tamaracks' staff who supported the efforts to rebuild the barge and make the fireworks show happen.
"This was a milestone in my life personally and business," wrote Jeff on his Facebook page. "Hope everyone knows how much I appreciate the help and I hope we can keep practicing our independence in positive ways. Some roadblocks don't need [to be] broken. You can build a jump!"
Though donation buckets were already picked up around town, donations are still being accepted through Citizens Alliance Bank to the Tamaracks Resort Fireworks Fund or on Venmo @Jessica-Kimmel-4. While they donated their time, they still need to raise more than $3,000 to cover the cost of the fireworks.
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