A bright and loud highlight of Wrangell’s Fourth of July for many people is the fireworks show. Putting on that show is much of the reason for the fundraising raffle tickets sale run every June by the chamber of commerce, which sponsors the fireworks.

With the success of last year’s fundraising, the chamber was able to increase its budget for this year’s fireworks, said Lora Lee Mason, the chamber’s executive director.

Technicians will set off the rockets the evening of July 4 — a change from July 3 in past years — from a barge offshore of the City Dock, Mason said last week.

Next year’s fireworks show will depend on this year’s ticket sales, which will begin with a kick-off event at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31, at City Park.

Kalee Herman, this year’s sole Fourth of July royalty contestant, will start her ticket sales at the event, continuing nonstop through July 3.

The chamber will serve free hot dogs, soft drinks and snacks at the kick-off, Mason said.