Shorewood Village Trustees Discuss Rescheduling Fireworks

After 30 minutes of debate, the Shorewood Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Monday, July 16 to instruct the village staff to determine whether or not Shorewood village organizations might be interested in viewing a fireworks display on Labor Day weekend.

Village Manager, Chris Swartz, introduced the topic with a reminder that the July 4 fireworks display at Atwater Beach was cancelled and suggested that the village should consider lighting the fireworks on the Saturday before Labor Day, September 1.

The Shorewood Foundation is the sponsor of the annual July 4th fireworks display. Many residents were disappointed this year when the decision was made to cancel the fireworks due to the drought and the potential for errant fireworks projectiles to cause grass fires. The contract this year was valued at $12,000 with a clause stipulating that the Foundation would incur a $4,000 cancellation fee if the fireworks had to be cancelled at the last minute.

Mr. Swartz attempted to negotiate with the fireworks display provider to waive the cancellation fee but they would have none of it.  After that, the negotiating strategy became much trickier. Mr. Swartz indicated that he suggested the provider apply the $4,000 cancellation fee to next year's July 4th fireworks and offer the village $16,000 worth of fireworks for the price of $12,000. The provider then counter-offered to provide $20,000 worth of fireworks next year for the price of $16,000. The fireworks provider was unavailable for comment.

Mr. Swartz then indicated that the Friends of Atwater Beach (FAB) may be interested in hosting the fireworks display at the upcoming FAB beach party on August 11. Other alternatives came from various Trustees. Trustee, Ellen Eckman, thinking out loud, suggested New Year's Eve as an alternative. Then Trustee, Thad Nation, tossed out a thought that the annual Shorewood High School Homecoming might be a good occasion for fireworks. Finally, the suggestion was made to consider Halloween night for the fireworks display.

During the debate Trustee Eckman opined that we can't control the weather and perhaps the drought will continue right through Labor Day. Everyone agreed that there is a possibility that the fireworks may need to be postponed again. Then, in a moment of clarity, Trustee Jeff Hanewall queried, "What if everyone already has plans for the Labor Day weekend and no one shows up?"

The debate finally came to a conclusion and the board voted unanimously, 6-0 (President Guy Johnson was pre-excused due to vacation) to instruct the village staff to gauge whether groups like the Shorewood Men's Club and The Shorewood Foundation may be interested in co-hosting a Labor Day BBQ and community party at Atwater Beach on Labor Day weekend. Of course, the party will culminate in a festive fireworks display.