May 1, 2020
Mallory Herrmann
citydesk@lstribune.tet
In anticipation of the continuing ripple effect from the novel coronavirus, the city will be canceling the Fourth of July Legacy Blast fireworks display.
City Manager Steve Arbo suggested this week that the city should not finalize a contract with a fireworks vendor for the annual display held at Legacy Park. He said the city has until June 17 to back out of the agreement without incurring penalties.
With the Jackson County Health Department planning a gradual lifting of the stay-at-home order beginning on May 15, Arbo said it seemed unlikely that social gatherings of the Independence Day celebration’s size would be allowed just a month and a half later.
In 2019, approximately 22,000 people participated in the event, which also included concessions, face painters, balloon artists and inflatable obstacle courses.
Mayor Bill Baird agreed with Arbo’s recommendation to cancel, noting that there are so many unknowns at this point. Councilmember Bob Johnson echoed those comments, adding that the most liberal projections he’s seen for early July would allow up to 250 people to gather for a social event.
Plus, with the city already staring at a budget deficit – Johnson said about $5 million – cutting the costs of putting on a $50,000 event might not be a bad idea. In 2019, the event had total expenses of $49,739.64; revenues of $25,350.00 left the city with a net cost of more than $24,000. That net cost was up from about $17,000 in 2018 and nearly $15,000 in 2017.
Councilmember Phyllis Edson said that canceling early made the most sense, allowing people to make other plans that adhere to any social distancing guidelines that will be in place at that point.
Councilmember Fred DeMoro added that going ahead with the event could lead to even higher participation numbers than years past if Lee’s Summit were to have the only major fireworks display in the area.
With general consensus from the council, Arbo said he would cancel the fireworks contract, ending the event for 2020.
All councilmembers were present for the Apr. 28 discussion.
