Perry Chamber’s Big Boom Bracket Battle to help launch 2023 fireworks drive; nominations due March 1

COURTESY OF PERRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
·4 min read

The Perry Chamber of Commerce will launch its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Drive in March with the Big Boom Bracket Battle, but first seeks nominations for participants in the activity. Now in its fourth year, the contest provokes friendly competition among community members with the grand prize of bragging rights and a pie in the face.

“It may seem a bit early to start fundraising for summer activities,” said Lynsi Pasutti, Executive Director of the Perry Chamber of Commerce, “but getting a head start means we can spread out our efforts – and of course take advantage of the excitement of other March contests. The Big Boom Bracket Battle has been a great success the last three years, so we are excited to see what it brings in this year.”

The Big Boom Bracket Battle is a bracket-style contest, matching up community members for the sake of fundraising for Perry’s Fourth of July fireworks display. After the Elimination Round, donations will determine the winners of each matchup within the bracket structure over the course of four weeks. The ultimate winner will be rewarded with a pie in their face at the end of the contest, tentatively scheduled during the Perry Chamber’s Annual Dinner on April 4.

A pie is displayed before being thrown in the face of the Big Boom Bracket Battle Grand Finale Duo winner. The event was held at the end of the Perry Chamber's annual dinner on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at La Poste.
A pie is displayed before being thrown in the face of the Big Boom Bracket Battle Grand Finale Duo winner. The event was held at the end of the Perry Chamber's annual dinner on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at La Poste.

At this time, the Perry Chamber is seeking nominations for this year’s contest. Nominees will be contacted to confirm their willingness to participate and for a photo for promotions. Self nominations are accepted. All nominations are due to the Perry Chamber by Wednesday, March 1 either by email (PerryChamber@PerryIA.org) or phone (515-465-4601).

The Elimination Round will take place on the Perry Chamber’s Facebook page with a photo album of all nominees posted for the community to ‘vote’ with their ‘likes’ on individual photos. The 16 individuals with the most ‘likes’ within the week will become the Sweet-as-Pie 16 and their rankings will determine the set-up of the bracket. The fundraising portion of the initiative will then take place with four weeks of ‘head-to-head’ contests. Advancement in the Big Boom Bracket Battle will be based on monetary donations from the community, accepted online, by mail and at various locations in town.

Donation jars for the 2022 Big Boom Bracket Battle's Explosive 8 on display at Ben's Five and Dime.
Donation jars for the 2022 Big Boom Bracket Battle's Explosive 8 on display at Ben's Five and Dime.

“The Elimination Round on Facebook is a fun way to get the community involved before the fundraising even begins,” Pasutti said. “It really is up to the community to decide who will make it into the bracket. We’ve had so many nominations the past two years and it is fun to see the wide representation of community members interested in participating, from educators and city workers, to businesses owners and community leaders. It’ll be fun to see who makes it past the Elimination Round this year!”

The goal of the Big Boom Bracket Battle is to kick off the annual fundraising efforts for the Fourth of July fireworks display, all while getting the community involved. The concept of ‘every little bit counts’ will help chip away at the total fundraising goal of $12,500 for the fireworks display.

Fireworks light up the sky in Perry's Pattee Park on Monday, July 4, 2022.
Fireworks light up the sky in Perry's Pattee Park on Monday, July 4, 2022.

Key dates of the Big Boom Bracket Battle:

  • Wednesday, March 1 – Nominations Due to the Chamber

  • Friday, March 3 – Elimination Round begins on Facebook (vote with your likes)

  • Tuesday, March 7 – Sweet-as-Pie 16 announced; fundraising begins (vote with dollars)

  • Tuesday, March 14 – Explosive 8 announced; fundraising continues

  • Tuesday, March 21 – Firecracker 4 announced; fundraising continues

  • Tuesday, March 28 – Grand Finale Duo announced; final round of fundraising

  • Tuesday, April 4 – Winner Announced; Pie in the Face at Chamber’s Annual Dinner

The Perry Chamber wishes to thank all those that participated in last year’s Big Boom Bracket Battle, including those that submitted nominations, those that voted – both in the elimination round and with their dollars – as well as the 53 individuals that accepted nominations with the chance of getting a pie in their face. Special thanks goes to last year’s Sweet-as-Pie 16 for their help with fundraising efforts and especially the Grand Finale Duo, Michael Pentico and Susan Smith, each raising about $1,000 for the fireworks drive. Big thanks to past winners, Michael Pentico(2022), Shaun Welch (2021) and both Eddie Diaz and JP Hulgan (2020).

Susan Smith throws a pie in the face of Michael Pentico during the Big Boom Bracket Battle Grand Finale. The event was held at the end of the Perry Chamber's annual dinner on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at La Poste.
Susan Smith throws a pie in the face of Michael Pentico during the Big Boom Bracket Battle Grand Finale. The event was held at the end of the Perry Chamber's annual dinner on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at La Poste.

For more information or to submit a nomination for the Big Boom Bracket Battle, contact the Perry Chamber of Commerce at PerryChamber@PerryIA.org or (515) 465-4601.

This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Perry Chamber’s Big Boom Bracket Battle nominations due March 1