Community Corner
No Fireworks at Westfield? No Problem as City to Host Tradition
For the second straight year, Westfield-Meriden will forgo the fireworks display it started hosting in 2009 – and for the second straight year the City Council is picking up the tab to help the tradition stay alive.
Westfield-Meriden has gone in a different direction in recent years, electing to forgo hosting a fireworks display on Independence Day to instead spend the money on families and schools.
That hasn’t stopped Meriden from continuing the July 4 tradition.
The City Council for a second straight year has found money to pick-up the tab, hosting the fireworks tradition at Hubbard Park and providing a night of family fun honoring the nation’s independence.
The council this week voted unanimously to approve a $25,000 appropriation from expected surplus to fund a fireworks display at the city’s biggest park. The display draws several thousand typically, although last year’s display drew slightly fewer due to the late change in location.
“It’s such a tradition for Meriden in an iconic location over at Hubbard Park and people enjoy it,” Mayor Michael Rohde told the Record-Journal. “The money was available so the councilors just decided it would be a good idea.”
Starting in 2009, the Meriden fireworks display was produced along with a block party that included barbecuing, music and more at the Westfield-Meriden Mall. Private donations and corporate sponsorships were used to fund the display.
But Westfield company spokesman Paul Sebina told the Connecticut Post this week that Westfield is focused on using the money to focus more on families and to assist local schools through a wide variety of programs.
The company in 2012 cancelled shows in Meriden and Trumball, and in 2013 those displays will again not take place along with cancelling the show at Westfield-Milford, Sebina said.
"We want to focus our efforts on programs for families and schools," Sebina told the Connecticut Post. "We want to be able to offer family events throughout the year and more often.''
The exact date of the fireworks has not been established. Meriden Patch will provide additional details including date and start time as they become available.
TELL US: Are you pleased with the council decision? Should taxpayer money be spent on the display? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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