» Unused fireworks to return next year

Thursday, July 16, 2009 | 1 comment(s) As the many local residents and visitors who waited until dark on the Fourth of July were aware, thick fog caused the city of Bandon to cancel the normally spectacular Fourth of July fireworks.

According to Ron Elliot, who was in charge of the pyrotechnics and has been setting off the fireworks for the last 40 years, this is the second time the display was cancelled due to fog. Another time, there was severe fog, but the fireworks were set off even though they were somewhat difficult to see, Elliot said.

“At around 9 p.m. July 4, I received a call from police officer Anthony Zunino, who was working on the fireworks display,” said City Manager Matt Winkel. “He felt the fog was perhaps too thick to allow the fireworks to be seen. So, I stationed myself down at the Port of Bandon parking lot to see what I could see.”

At around 9:45, Zunino told Winkel they were going to set off a few of the larger shells. A few seconds later, a small pink glow could be seen through the fog. Then a smaller one was set off, which resulted in a small green glow lower in the fog.

“There was no oohing or ahhing,” Winkel said. “It looked to Anthony that the fog might be lifting, so we waited about 15 more minutes and tried again. The larger shell resulted in a small blue glow and the smaller shell resulted in another small pink glow. There was still no oohing or ahhing, so it seemed like the only reasonable thing to do was to cancel the show.”

All of the shells were defuzed, and Western Display Fireworks, the fireworks supplier to the city, agreed to transport them back to Canby and store them until next year at no extra charge. Winkel said Elliot, Zunino and other volunteers spent the next few hours packing the fireworks up and didn’t get home until around 2 a.m. The fireworks cost $12,690 this year, with $7,690 from the city’s General Fund, and $5,000 in donations secured by the Chamber of Commerce, according to Winkel. This amount includes approximately $10,000 for the fireworks themselves, plus delivery to Bandon, pyrotechnician fees and liability insurance, all of which are provided by Western Display Fireworks.

“Although it is unfortunate that Bandon wasn’t able to have a show this year, all of the fireworks (except for the four that were test-fired) will be available next year,” Winkel said. “This will save a significant amount of money.”

Winkel added that if the Chamber is successful in securing more donations, that money can be used to either increase the show or carry it forward to a subsequent year.

Many cities across the nation have been forced to stop putting on fireworks displays due to declining revenues, Winkel said.

“Hopefully, with the help of businesses and citizens, Bandon can continue to provide a great fireworks show each Fourth of July,” he said.

Those interested in donating can contact Chamber of Commerce Director Julie Miller at 347-9616, or e-mail bandoncc@mycomspan.com. —From staff reports