Friday was a big fundraising day for the Albert Lea/Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

With cooperation from a local radio station, the organization raised about $17,000 for the Fourth of July fireworks show.

KATE/KCPI Radio broadcast all day from an outdoor studio at the corner of South Broadway and Main Street in Albert Lea. Familiar voices in the community, including Party Line host Darryl Amundson, News and Public Service Director Steve Oman, and Farm Director Courtney Doyle, broadcast their programs in the open air and asked listeners for contributions.

Volunteers from Chamber member businesses and other organizations stood on corners in downtown with buckets, appealing for donations from passing drivers.

The Independence Day fireworks show this year will start at dusk on July 4. Around 300 fireworks launched from the city beach on Fountain Lake will blossom in over the Albert Lea sky.

Chamber President Allen Pelvit was happy to see the donation amount exceed more than the $15,000 goal he had set for this year.

For those who missed the buckets and the radio shows, donations can be still made by writing a check to: Fourth of July Fireworks Fund, 143 West Clark St., Albert Lea, MN 56007. For more information, call (507) 373-3938. Funds not used for this year’s show will go towards next year’s.