Cost of Avon Lake's Fourth of July Fireworks Becomes an Issue

Avon Lake is beginning to prepare for the July 4 holiday, including securing a $14,500 contract with Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions to be included in the  celebration, which will be held this year on July 3. That contract was secured tonight, but not after a lengthy discussion on the amount.

 Similar to years past, Avon Lake will host the day-long festival, Arts Fest, at Miller Road Park, including vendors and music and concluding the celebration with the True North Chorale and Symphony Patriotic Concert performing patriotic music and fireworks at dusk.

Just how much is too much for fireworks, turned into a topic of heavy discussion at the Feb. 28, with council passing the contract by a 4-3 vote.

The city has used Mad Bomber for years, with last year concluding a three-year contract.

Councilman David Kos, a firm supporter of the annual festival – and the fireworks – felt the contract was reasonable, saying the company “did a terrific job” the years past.  

“The west side business saw a nice bump last year,” Kos said. “So this was a total win all the way around.”  Kos noted the event drew a heavy crowd last year.

Zuber, who said the contract was not bid out, said the festival, including the evening’s concert by TrueNorth, drew a big crowd and the day proved to be an economic boon to the community, particularly the west end of town, where the festival is located.

The contract came close to not receiving approval, especially after several council members felt the city could bargain down the contract.

Councilman Dan Bucci commended Zuber for his work on making the event an annual tradition that draws a crowd, but felt the city could get a better price from with Mad Bomber.

“With the economic situation that we have and the (financial) sacrifices we’ve asked our employees to make…I think we can go back to mad bomber and ask for something a little more affordable,” Bucci said. “‘We need to have a firework display, it’s part of our heritage and culture but we need to scale it back.” 

Kos countered that the festival, including the fireworks, was more than just an event and was an important economic issue for the city.

“This is who we are, as Avon Lake residents,” Kos said. “Aside from Friday football games, it is the largest gathering of residents and non-residents. Families, seniors, young couples…are enjoying our park, our lake, our vendors.

“This pumps money into the community.”

Kos noted that other communities have eliminated fireworks out of their annual budgets and it was a benefit to Avon Lake.

“Other communities have cut their fireworks and what that has done is taken residents from those communities and brought them to ours,” he said. “This tradition should not end. This is something residents expect and enjoy. We are sitting on $6 million plus in the general fund; if we have to, we can look into that.”

Councilman Larry Meiners agreed with Kos.

 “The Fourth of July is a national holiday,” Meiners said. “For us to look at eliminating or cutting back, and I respect concerns about cutting back, but there is a tradition in town this is part of Avon Lake. It’s something this town looks forward to.”

 Meiners warned about cutting back on that tradition.

 “We could be walking down a path that is precarious,” he said.

 Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch said she supports Americana and the fireworks but also believes in being careful with what is spent. She, along with Bucci and Councilman Martin O’Donnell voted against approving the contract.

 Mayor K.C. Zuber urged for support, also echoing the economic impact on the city.

“There were 10,000 people here last year,” Zuber said. “This is economic development. Those stores are making money off this, much more than we’re putting into it.”