Storm Lake Fareway to round up purchases for fireworks fundraiser

Storm Lake shoppers will help decide how much sparkle lights the lakefront this Fourth of July when Fareway begins its Round Up for Fireworks fundraiser on June 15. At the store at 731 Seneca Street, customers can round their purchases up to the nearest dollar through June 26, and the extra change goes directly to the Star Spangled Spectacular’s 10 p.m. fireworks show on Saturday, July 4.

The campaign puts a private grocer at the center of one of Storm Lake’s biggest civic celebrations. The Star Spangled Spectacular says it is partnering with Storm Lake Fareway Meat and Grocery for the fourth year to raise money for the annual display, a sign that the store has become a recurring part of the event’s financing rather than a one-time helper.

Matt Brostad, one of the 2026 co-commodores along with Katie Brostad, is leading this year’s effort under the theme “Built on Freedom. Bound by Community.” Organizers have set a $50,000 fundraising goal for 2026 and sent more than 700 letters to past donors and new supporters, showing how much of the show still depends on small contributions and local outreach.

Last year’s drive cleared a $45,000 goal and brought in more than $46,000, with support reaching more than 300 beneficiaries. That kind of backing matters because the fireworks are one part of a much larger July celebration, and the money has to be in place before the show can go on the lakefront.

The City of Storm Lake’s 2026 events calendar lists the Star Spangled Spectacular for July 3 and 4, with concerts, a parade, a patriotic ceremony, Artists’ Alley, street performers, a classic car cruise and food vendors. The fireworks remain scheduled for 10 p.m. on July 4, anchoring the holiday weekend and closing out the two-day festival.

Fareway Store #461 in Storm Lake is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and closed Sundays, making the fundraiser hard for local shoppers to miss. For Storm Lake, the display now rests on a familiar formula: hundreds of small round-ups, donor letters and a local business partnership that keep the Independence Day tradition alive.