By Sarah Stultz, staff writer

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and KATE/KCPI radio exceeded its goal of donations Friday for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

When all donations were calculated &8212; including a $1,500 donation from the city of Albert Lea &8212; the numbers totaled $17,434.

&8220;We&8217;re very pleased,&8221; said Chamber Operations Manager Tami Riecke. &8220;Albert Lea is a great place to live.&8221;

Starting at 6 a.m. Friday, chamber staff, KATE staff and volunteers stood on the corners of Broadway Avenue and Main Street collecting the donations.

The goal for the fundraiser was $15,000.

Riecke said at first chamber leaders were concerned that with the high price of gas and difficult economic times that people might be struggling too much to donate.

This was not the case, she said.

The fireworks are scheduled for dusk on the Fourth of July at City Beach. The holiday this year is on a Friday, so crowds should be larger than usual.