Lake Elsinore To Hold July 4 Fireworks Show

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — During its regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, the Lake Elsinore City Council voted 5-0 to hold a July 4 fireworks display. It is one of the few Southwest Riverside County cities to green light the holiday event. Temecula and Menifee city councils have approved shows in their respective cities, but late Wednesday it was announced that Temecula was canceling its event amid concerns over a state prohibition on mass gatherings. Read more: Temecula Cancels July 4 Fireworks Show

Assuming it doesn't get canceled, the Lake Elsinore display will be the first “community event” following Gov. Gavin Newsom's March 19 coronavirus stay-home order.

The fireworks will be shot off the T-Peninsula over the lake. Viewing areas will include Summerly Park, Elm Grove Beach (Swick & Matich Park), Launch Pointe and other city areas. A “Night Boat Pass” will be available to view the show on the water.

There will be no concessions or other events associated with the display due to social distancing concerns.

Traditionally, the event begins around 9 p.m. July 4.

Pyro Spectacular is the fireworks vendor for the event. The show's cost to the city — $42,000 — is non-refundable, but a replacement event could be scheduled before December 2020 if a COVID-19 surge — or state or county order — forces a July 4 cancellation, according to city documents. Additionally, the city expects to incur approximately $24,000 in ancillary costs for the event, which include city staff time, law enforcement and equipment rentals.

Storm Baseball is also considering holding an Independence Day celebration. Details to the city are not firm, but the preliminary proposal calls for up to 10,000 people at Storm Stadium with social distancing in effect. As of Tuesday, the organization had not applied for a special events permit.

City Councilmember Natasha Johnson said she could not back that kind of event in light of graduations being canceled this spring due to social distancing concerns amid coronavirus. She and Councilmember Steve Manos said they could get behind the event only if the class of 2020 was somehow recognized in the celebration.

Johnson, who is the parent of a graduating senior, said the students were more important.

"That's our future," she said, "not fireworks."