Corporate Sponsorship is as American as Apple Pie

The nation's birthday and the unofficial midpoint of summer – the Fourth of July -- is upon us and with it comes parties, parades, and pyrotechnics. These are often civic events, and with many municipalities strapped for cash, corporate sponsorship is a must. Some cities, such as Chicago, which says it lost $7 million on fireworks and related festivities over the last three years, have stopped bankrolling celebrations completely. In most places, however, the show will go on, thanks in part to the largesse of corporate citizens. After all, what red-white-and-blue-blooded company wouldn’t want to associate itself with family fun and patriotism while exposing its brand to thousands of happy people? Here are a few of them:

• As with its eponymous Thanksgiving Day parade, venerable retailer Macy's presents New York City's fireworks show over the Hudson.
• Beantown-based insurer Liberty Mutual sponsors one of the biggest bashes in the country, as the Boston Pops Orchestra performs a medley of American standards set to pyrotechnics.
• With more than five tons of fireworks detonated over the course of an hour, Milwaukee stages what it claims is the largest and longest display in the Midwest. U.S. Bank hosts the event on the shores of Lake Michigan.
• Pittsburgh boasts one of the largest Fourth of July fireworks displays in the country as well. Natural gas company EQT is the title sponsor of this year’s “Flashes of Freedom” Fireworks Fantasia.
• Along with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, U.S. Bank is also presenting three consecutive nights of fireworks and live music under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
• Emerald City icons Microsoft and Starbucks are the lead backers of Seattle's Fourth of July festivities held at Lake Union.
• Brewing behemoth Budwiser presents The Great American Holiday – A Fourth of July Celebration in Tampa.
• After Indianapolis nearly cancelled last year’s fireworks show due to a lack of funding, the city secured Donatos Pizzeria as the lead sponsor of this year’s event.