The Wrangell Chamber of Commerce recently announced that the annual third of July fireworks, a popular part of the city's week-long Fourth of July celebration, will be changing venues this year. Alicia Holder, with the chamber of commerce, said that the fireworks have traditionally been held on the waterfront by City Dock. This year, though, it will be held at Volunteer Park, near the elementary school.
The chamber helps fund the fireworks every year, through their annual royalty contest, while the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department volunteers to launch them. However, the dock area is no longer safe or permittable for fireworks. The decision comes after discussions with both the city and the fire department, she said.
"The reason for that is it has to do with permitting issues," Holder said. "So there has to be a perimeter, there's an area where once they start setting up the fireworks, people and buildings that are occupied are not supposed to be within that perimeter. There's so much going on the third of July, around that time, there's just too many activities and people that end up being in that area that is supposed to be unoccupied."
The fire department will be monitoring weather conditions and the surrounding area to make sure everything is safe, for those worried about having fireworks close to the park's nature trail. Holder added that one lane of Spur Road will be closed off for extra parking, and that they are organizing shuttle buses to take people from downtown and back for the show.
The announcement of the location change garnered negative reactions from some people on social media. Holder said that she understands that change is difficult, but this change was necessary. The chamber of commerce is also working to make the change as positive as possible, she added. Trego, a band out of Spokane, Washington, will be performing the day of the fireworks. Holder also said that there will be food and game booths set up for people to enjoy. She also said that there might be a biergarten but this has not been confirmed yet.
"We know that everyone's not thrilled about this move, we're trying our best to make it a positive transition," Holder said.
Further information and a map will be released by the chamber in the near future. The nature trail and ballpark will be closed to the public the day of July 3 to prepare for the fireworks show.
"I just want to say thank you to everyone for being patient with us, and understanding that this is a change that had to happen to make sure we are still able to have fireworks," Holder said. "We're still working out all the details, and we'll keep putting information out there as it comes to us."
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