Babcock Ranch residents Tiffany and Jessie Smutney sure know how to celebrate…and all for a good cause. This year marked the 4th annual Canopy Kaboom, a local Fourth of July fireworks show that brings the community together in the best possible way.
The goal was to raise around $7,000 for Canopy Kaboom with a portion of the proceeds going towards local organizations. Thanks to an amazing turnout and donations from families and local businesses, the Smutneys not only met but exceeded this goal.
“We are so blessed with the generosity from the community to keep this tradition alive,” Tiffany says in a Facebook update. “We want to spread the love…every penny we raise over what we spent will be given back to the community.”
(Oakley, 5, and Olivia, 8, enjoying the show)
Fireworks were set off lakeside behind the Smutney home on Canopy Court. The show kicked off with a dazzling display, with front-row seating available right from residents’ own backyards. Some of the best views were along Cypress Parkway and Muhly Grass Lane.
Sky King Fireworks came through with 10 extra boxes of fireworks for the show. In addition to generous contributions from many Babcock Ranch families, support for Canopy Kaboom came from:
- On Call Electric
- D3 Creative
- Indie Ocean, LLC
- ALL IN Property Management
- Air Docs, Inc.
- Legacy Pressure Washing
- Lee County Plumbing
- We Rock the Spectrum
- FVL Consultants
(Photo credit: Brittany Green)
Due to limited parking space, spectators were encouraged to use golf carts or walk over to Canopy Court. The driveway was open for Veteran seating with water and sodas provided and a table of goodies for the kids out front.
Heather Gonzales and her husband Phillip donated their time and creative skills, with Heather offering face painting for the kids and Phillip serving as DJ for the night.
(Photo credit: Ashley Green)
“Above all, thank you to our Veterans and all of the sacrifices they have made for our freedom,” Tiffany wrote, adding, “This show is for you!”
(Photo credit: Leah Mecum Campbell)
Here is some feedback on the show:
“Canopy Kaboom is the best fireworks show in SWFL! We love that our neighbors put it together and give back to our community through donations they receive!” – Lindsay Graham
(Photo credit: Von Staszewska)
Check out Tiffany Smutney’s Facebook post here.
UPDATE 7/7/23, 10 PM
(From Tiffany Smutney’s Facebook post):
“Here’s our last but most important post on Canopy Kaboom! The one we’ve all been waiting for! First off, we cannot thank the community and our local businesses enough for their donations towards this event! We are so excited to be able to give you this news! I want to give a big SHOUT OUT to my husband Jessie Smutney and Legacy Pressure Washing for their business donation and also want to thank Janette Dulaney and Kathi Stoddard for their donations today to the event! Our original goal was to raise $1K over what we spent to give back to the community in more ways than one and we far exceeded that!
Drumroll please…our 2023 Canopy Kaboom raised $9,705!!! We not only covered the cost of the fireworks ($6,655) but we are able to give back $3,050 to the community! We are still amazed by the outpouring of support from you all. This was by far our best year yet!
We have thought long and hard about the organizations to support so that we try to reach each of you who gave and our community in one way or another. We are pledging the below to the following local organizations:
· Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary – $1,000
· SW FL Horse Rescue – $500
· Fire Department & EMS 🚉in Babcock – $300 in Publix gift cards to feed the shifts of men and woman who are first responders to our community.
· Babcock Ranch Scout Group – $250 will go to sponsor a pizza party for the scouts who lead the 4th of July golf cart parade each year.
· Babcock Neighborhood School – $250
· Babcock Ranch Foundation – $250
· The Community Church – $250
· SK8 Company – $250.
Many don’t know this but our neighbors brought out a vendor in hopes of raising funds for a local theater on ice skating team, but they didn’t receive their liquor license in time so they were not able to raise the money they need to help girls afford outfits or supplies for their events. We hope this money helps these girls follow their dreams!
We will be working with these organizations to get them these donations as soon as possible. Our goal was to spread the love to the community and because of all of you, we can!
One last SHOUT OUT to Heather and Phillip Gonzales for donating their time and services to this event each year! You add the special touch with the rocking jams and face paint for the kids. Please reach out to them for your next event! Jessie and I have a special gift card for you from us to say thanks!
Thank you to everyone who was a part of our 4th annual Canopy Kaboom! The pictures and videos we have seen have been spectacular and fill out hearts with so much joy! Jessie and I are so thankful and blessed to be neighbors with you all! We look forward to seeing you around the community and again next year!
Last but not least, God bless our Veterans and the men and women who continue to fight for our freedoms and this county today. We are thankful and honored by your service for all.”
