Batavia trying to reschedule fireworks, but it won’t be this weekend

Batavia officials are working with the Batavia Fireworks Committee to reschedule a fireworks show that was abruptly canceled Tuesday night, but it will not happen in the next few days.

It will likely be months away, according to Batavia Police Chief Shawn Mazza. New dates are being discussed by the private Batavia Fireworks Committee, vendor Pyrotecnico and city officials.

The show was supposed to go on at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. But the computerized system that detonates the fireworks failed, forcing a last-minute cancellation.

Batavia City Administrator Laura Newman said it won’t happen this weekend because the Windmill City Festival is scheduled. The festival is run by the park district, but police and fire services are required.

She said the city was not aware of any problem until the time of the performance.

“We were running the music and expecting fireworks,” Newman said. “The first song was already playing, to which we expected there to be fireworks.”

Fireworks committee Chairman Mark Davis dispelled rumors that the problem was caused by wireless internet technology. The boards were physically connected by wires to the fireworks, Davis said.

The same boards worked fine at a fireworks show the previous day, he said.

“We’re just as disappointed as everybody else,” said Davis, who has been chairman of the show for 13 years. “My grandkids were there too.”

Newman said this was the first year working with the new vendor. In past years, the city has contracted with the firework vendor Melrose Pyrotechnics, however it was acquired last year by Pyrotecnico.

She said the vendor reported the fireworks failed to ignite due to technical difficulties in both their main and backup computer systems.

“We’re all disappointed and so sorry for the residents who look forward to that every year and made the trip out,” Newman said. “If we had known these technical difficulties existed, we certainly would have put the word out earlier.”

Mazza estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 people were in attendance waiting to see the fireworks.

He said despite the show being cancelled so abruptly, he was impressed with the civility of the crowds. He reported no issues with disturbances after the show, and suggested that optimism overcame the frustration.

The fireworks event is run by the committee, and paid for by donations. The city donates police and fire services.

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20230705/batavia-trying-to-reschedule-fireworks-but-it-wont-be-tonight