4th of July Fireworks Fizzle In Rancho Santa Margarita

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — There's nothing like spending the day at the SAMLARC beach club on the 4th of July and waiting to see fireworks bloom over the Lago Santa Margarita in the annual Star Spangled Spectacular. In 2017 that plan went up in smoke for hundreds of families, or more aptly put, was drowned in a sprinkler mishap.

Some residents are crying foul while others are merely disappointed at the brief display at the end of a long and full day at the lake. Many residents began their day with the annual Tricycle Parade around the lake and stayed all day, staking out their spot to view the fireworks.

"There were blankets everywhere, starting in the early morning for people who planned on picnicking and spending the day at the lake," resident Elsa Brodeur said. She watched the fireworks from her Rancho Santa Margarita home, and saw them come to an abrupt end. "I was concerned something bad had happened, it got quiet so fast," Brodeur said.

Six minutes into the awe-inspiring 4th of July spectacular, two sprinklers came on and damaged the launch-controlling circuit board, ending the show, according to CEO of SAMLARC, Candace Fullenkamp.

"We, too, were disappointed by the abrupt end to the fireworks show," Fullenkamp told Patch News in interview.

While this isn't the only time in the city's history that there was a fireworks fail, it is not the norm for the July 4th holiday, according to Fullenkamp.

"We had one other time that the fireworks didn't go off, and are not the only city to endure a fireworks mishap," Fullenkamp said. "Still, that's not the norm for our community. It was a great day around the lake, starting with the parade of tricycles and parents and lasting all day long."

Residents stated that after the abrupt end, they were more confused by the send off from SAMLARC officials who merely said, "Thank you for being here, have a good night." Others waited around the lake to see if the fireworks would restart.

Officials apologized over Facebook and on their website for disappointing residents and fans who waited all day to see fireworks.

Residents watching the show experienced a broad range of reactions from requesting a fireworks redo later this summer to wondering about sabotage.

"Such a disappointment," one resident said over Facebook. "We were left with some very sad kiddos tonight."

Another commenter questioned the timing of the incident, wondering if someone sabotaged the event.

"I was home and could see the fireworks from my bedroom window," she said. "I heard everything and then the fireworks stopped. Then, my husband told me that everything had gotten wet from the sprinklers."

Brodeur and her husband witnessed the work SAMLARC had put into planning the event, and setting up the fireworks over the past few weeks.

"It was so sad, because they had worked so hard to set it up," she said. Brodeur watched the guests leave the event, noting that residents weren't mean about the early end, just sad that things didn't go as planned.

"I've seen other fireworks display have ended badly, from people getting hurt to having computers fail. You can plan but things do happen. " she said, adding, "it was odd that the sprinklers only came on in that one area" that controlled the fireworks display.

For weeks, the Brodeur's watched from their lakeside home as SAMLARC planned the event.

"We walk the park every day and on the 4th of July it was so crowded that we enjoyed the day from our home. It was fun to see everyone having a good day, young and old," she said. "(SAMLARC) put on a great show before the fireworks began, with kids singing and celebrating. It was well-over a half an hour of fun before the fireworks stopped."

The flavor of the day was fun, according to Brodeur, with neighbors meeting neighbors, and many residents have come to view the fireworks for years. Some, recalling mishaps from the past in Rancho Santa Margarita, as well as Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel and the infamous Big Bay Bust in San Diego County.

Read: Big Bay Boom Is A Bust In San Diego!

“As completed every year, all of the pre-show precautions were taken to ensure that the irrigation system was turned off,” the statement said. “Despite these actions and precautions, two of the eight irrigation stations came on at approximately 9 p.m.”

The officials at SAMLARC continue to investigate why the sprinkler system, shut off since Friday, June 30, came on at approximately 9 p.m. when the fireworks show was scheduled to launch.

While officials did not confirm if the Orange County Sheriff's Department was involved in the investigation, it was apparent that the best interests of the residents were at the heart of the board of directors and staff of SAMLARC.

"We apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience that this has caused,” SAMLARC officials said over Facebook. “We would like to thank those around the Lake for their assistance and cooperation in leaving the area in an orderly and pleasant manner.”

This is a developing story. Please refresh this page for the latest information.

Pixabay Image