MADEIRA BEACH – After a year’s absence, the city will once again have its own fireworks display on Independence Day.
This year’s city budget has set aside $10,000 for fireworks, and City Manager W.D. Higginbotham has awarded a contract to Bell’s Fireworks of Tampa to run the show.
The company was recommended by Fire Chief Derryl O’Neal, who noted in a letter to Higginbotham that they had previously provided private displays in Redington Beach “without any problems.”
The fire department recommendation was especially important this year since the area is facing a severe drought, creating dry and possibly hazardous conditions. In fact, O’Neal stated that “open burning type activity (which would include fireworks) could become a problem due to the risk of fire if conditions are windy and dry on the Fourth of July.”
Conditions permitting, the planned display appears to be impressive. A description of the show contained in the contract indicates a duration of 20 to 30 minutes during which 3,938 rounds of premium display fireworks will be set off. The company promises “a traditional show opening, continuing at a consistent pace, and ending in a spectacular finale of lights.”
Safety has been a concern in the past, and O’Neal indicated the shell sizes being proposed “are more appropriate for our shooting area and the safety zone, particularly since there have been several fireworks mishaps in the past.”
The display will be fired from the city recreation park on Rex Place next to the City Hall complex.
