If you’ve ever been in Aransas County on the Fourth of July, chances are very good you have watched the Rockport Texas Fireworks show known as the Wendell Family Fireworks!
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OUR HISTORY
THE HISTORY OF THE WENDELL FAMILY FIREWORKS
It is a tradition started by the late Jerry and Jan Wendell back in 1965.
Jerry passed away in January 2001. When Jan died in May 2011, the Wendell family went to work behind the scenes to ensure the future of the annual fireworks display.
In May 2012 the Wendell Family Fireworks Fund was incorporated under Texas State Law as a nonprofit corporation, under the new name Wendell Family Fund. The IRS approved its 501(c)3 designation in July 2013.
Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to:
Wendell Family Fund
3257 Inwood Dr
Houston, TX 77019
Or, one can donate via PayPal or debit/credit card by clicking here.
Excess funds collected by the Wendell Family Fund (above that which is deemed necessary as carryover for the following year) can be distributed to other non-profit organizations.
HISTORY
The first Wendell fireworks were shot off on July 4, 1965, when Jerry and Jan were entertaining a group of family and friends at their new home on East Linden.
The next year they did it again but on a larger scale. So large, in fact, the display attracted onlookers who parked along the road to watch them. The Wendells then made the decision to secure a place in Rockport to shoot off the fireworks so the entire community could view them.
The first public display was based on a vacant lot on Key Allegro. That lot, owned by the late Ed Harper and Bill Christian, faced Little Bay. It drew a large crowd of people lining the roads to watch.
It became apparent the event was something the residents of Rockport appreciated.
Jerry’s next move was to get pyrotechnic certification and to begin using professional-grade fireworks to make the show much more spectacular.
When his sons Wayde and Shawn were old enough, they too became certified pyrotechnicians and participated in the launching of the fireworks. The display grew more and more sophisticated, using larger mortars and more spectacular fireworks.
The fireworks display began to draw such large crowds Jerry approached the late Bobby Landrum of the Aransas County Navigation District, requesting permission to launch the fireworks from Rockport Beach Park, over Little Bay. That action also had to be approved by the City of Rockport, as well as the State of Texas.
Once the location change was made, the show began to generate even larger crowds. Jerry and his sons started to increase the size and quality of the fireworks.
In the 1970s, Key Allegro developer Carl Krueger asked Jerry’s permission to send letters to the residents of Key Allegro, and to local businesses, soliciting donations to help defer expenses.
Jerry was reluctant at first, but after much persistence by Krueger, he relented.
The response was overwhelming. The generous support for residents, the business community, and visitors allowed the Wendell fireworks tradition to evolve into an outstanding display, celebrating our most treasured American holiday – the Fourth of July.
With the formation of the nonprofit Wendell Family Fund, and the continued financial support of the community, the annual Wendell family fireworks display will continue to create memories for residents and visitors.
Wayde, Shawn, Jill, and extended family member George (Jorge) More are continuing the Wendell Family Fireworks tradition, generation after generation in honor of their parents Jerry & Jan Wendell who started this tradition in 1965. With gratitude to the community and donors from around the State and beyond for their generous support which has allowed this show to continue in celebration of Independence Day.
Over the years, the show has grown tremendously as a privately funded event due to your continued support. We hope that you will again consider donating to the Wendell Family Rockport Texas Fireworks show. We would also like to remind you that we are a 501 ( c ) 3 public charity and your donation is fully tax-deductible.
