SIMPSON BAY--Almost fifty businesses operating in and around Simpson Bay Lagoon have joined forces with the newly incorporated Simpson Bay Fireworks Foundation to hopefully bring a fireworks display in the lagoon to ring in 2016.
Should the businesses be successful in their goal, the display over the lagoon will be the first public large-scale fireworks in the area to ring in the New Year. There are fireworks displays in the general area such as the one of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, but the Foundation plans to have one that is more publicly visible for restaurant and bar patrons.
The fireworks idea and subsequent foundation are the brainchild of now Foundation President Lal Baharani of Lal’s Indian Cuisine. Baharani had fireworks in 2001 at the former location of his restaurant close to Princess Juliana International Airport SXM. The fun of that New Year’s evening inspired him to work on a show over the lagoon. His memories were tugged along by representatives of Caribbean Pyrotechnics who were also part of the 2001 show.
Baharani is aided in his goal by Foundation Secretary businessman Georges Greaux and Treasurer Ron Verhaar.
The work of collecting donations for the fireworks display started earlier in the year with containers and information posters placed at participating businesses for patrons to deposit a donation. The posters were donated by Marty and Gary Ziegelbauer.
The Foundation’s vision is to collect donations throughout the year for “a huge fireworks show over the lagoon for everyone in our communities to enjoy.”
Remaining funds, after covering the expense of the fireworks display, will be donated to a charity of the Foundation’s choice.
The Foundation said all businesses Baharani had approached had welcomed the idea, committed to participating and were looking forward to patrons in their establishments for New Year’s Eve to celebrate the birth of 2016. Businesses are also happy their patrons will not have to leave early to drive halfway around the island to enjoy fireworks in Philipsburg or elsewhere.
Businesses already on board with the fireworks project include restaurants, bars, marinas, supermarkets and liquor distributors, a yoga studio, resorts, a radio station, a construction company, an airline office, tours and other enterprises.
For more information about this effort or to make a donation, call Baharani at 587‐9059.
Businesses strive to bring fireworks to Simpson Bay
