Block party thrown in lieu of fireworks

The annual third of July fireworks show was cancelled this year, according to a press release from the City and Borough of Wrangell. This decision was made after borough officials, members of the police department, and the fire department determined that with the ongoing concerns of a water shortage in Wrangell, and drought conditions across the Southeast Alaska region, a large fireworks show was unwise.

Borough Clerk Kim Lane went into a little more detail on the decision. She explained that the city's water reservoirs were going down due to a lack of rain in the area. On top of that, on July 2 the city's water treatment plant was shut down for several hours because of a broken water main. The Forest Service recently went around and looked at the woods, and reported that conditions were very dry.

"So it was the decision to go ahead and cancel the fireworks because of that," Lane said. "If there were to be a fire, then that would deplete our water. The fear is that then the town would have no water."

On top of there not being any large fireworks display this year, Lane added that the personal use of fireworks are also banned. Fireworks are always prohibited within the borough under section 9.12.020 of the municipal code, according to the city's press release.

"This prohibition includes all fireworks which make a loud noise or that ascend into the air by its own power," the press release reads. "This includes firecrackers, roman candles, any aerial mortars or rockets and all types of bottle rockets. Penalties for this offense start at $200 and can reach $500 per violation. Any fireworks taken onto U.S. Forest Service managed lands are also subject to Federal penalties."

"In the past they allowed some of it, you know, just the kids playing around out here by the water, but they're going to strictly enforce no fireworks at all," Lane added.

The decision was upsetting to many people in Wrangell, but also understandable, as several Wrangellites took to social media to voice either their disappointment or support. In lieu of fireworks, a block party downtown was thrown instead. Kicking off around 8 p.m. after the Fourth of July talent show and queen coronation, Front Street was packed with a sizable portion of the town's population all having a good time. Trego, a Washington-based band who was in town for the fireworks, changed location to give a concert by the downtown pavilion. As the night went on and the crowds grew larger, they moved to a nearby rooftop to play.