The Longmont City Council started publicly discussing this year’s proposed Fourth of July event toward the end of February. And over a month later, it’s still working out the details.
The original proposal called for an Independence Day celebration at Dickens Farm Nature Area featuring music, food trucks, carnival games, a drone show and fireworks launched from the nearby Longmont Fire Training Center, 111 First Ave.
After some residents raised concerns about Dickens Farm Nature Area getting trampled as a result of the event, city staff proposed moving it to nearby S. Martin Street and to still have fireworks launched from the fire training center.
The plans for the red, white and blue celebration continue to evolve.
Earlier this week, the City Council voted 6 to 1 to give the Skyline Kiwanis Club of Longmont, which raises money to pay for the fireworks, the option of launching them from the fire training center and to close the nearby streets. The Skyline Kiwanis Club could also opt to do the fireworks at Fox Hill, where it has done so in the past.
“My preference would have been for Fox Hill’s country club to retain the show for another year,” Councilman Aren Rodriguez, who cast the lone no vote, said in a separate interview Wednesday.
Rodriguez made clear that he was not against fireworks on the Fourth of July but was mindful of the concerns raised about Dickens Farm Nature Area and a few nearby historic structures.
A spokesperson for the Skyline Kiwanis Club confirmed Thursday that the club is still determining where to launch the fireworks and that a decision is expected later this week.
A drone show is also still in the works, but exactly where it will occur has yet to be determined.
The idea of having a nearby festival-like atmosphere along S. Martin Street appears to be completely off the table as the council directed staff to instead speak with businesses near Second Avenue and Emory Street, which is close to the fire training center, about the possibility of having a Fourth of July event in that area.
Wibby Brewing President and Brewmaster Ryan Wibby said Wednesday that the local brewery was very much looking forward to a Fourth of July event this year. Located at 209 Emery St., Wibby Brewing would allow for easy viewing of the fireworks should they be launched at the fire training center.
City staff explored numerous other potential launch sites for fireworks, including the Vance Brand Municipal Airport but none came to fruition.
Staff also looked at the possibility of returning the show to the Boulder County Fairgrounds. But the fallout requirements associated with the fireworks would have made a significant portion of the parking area unavailable, according to a staff memo.
The Longmont Symphony Orchestra is moving its free Fourth of July concert to Roosevelt Park this year due to construction at Thompson Park, LSO Executive Director Laurie Brook confirmed in an email Thursday.
