Fireworks fizzling?


Barge launches began with the 2008 fireworks show (above) but donations didn’t cover the cost in 2009.

The Shelter Island Chamber of Commerce fireworks show may fallvictim to the recession.

“There’s a very good chance we’re not having the fireworks thisyear, Chamber President Sean McLean said last Friday. The Chamberboard asked its 100 or so members if the show should go on in lightof a $6,000 deficit from the 2009 show. According to Mr. McLean,about 30 percent of the Island businesspeople have replied and sofar the response is split 50/50 for and against a Chamber-sponsoredshow, with many undecided.

“We’re trying to figure out what to do, he said.

The 2010 pyrotechnic show is planned for the weekend of July 10,the Saturday after the Fourth of July weekend. The holiday weekendis no longer an option for several reasons, Mr. McLean explained.Safety concerns forced the Chamber to move the launch site from theend of Crescent Beach – adjacent to the spectator area – to a bargeanchored offshore. But a marine launch requires a Coast Guardpermit and U.S. Fish and Wildlife confirmation that plover in thearea have fledged and won’t be impacted. Fledglings on ConklinPoint were still in their nests last July 4, 2009, Mr. McLean toldthe Reporter last summer, meaning that had the Chamber scheduledthe show for the holiday weekend, it would have been cancelled.

Scheduling the show for July 10 also allows for a next day raindate, according to Mr. McLean. Barges and fireworks contractors arebooked solid for the holiday weekend but can be contracted to honora Sunday rain date if July 10 is a washout.

The Chamber also asked its members what their level ofcommitment would be. The traditional big donors indicated areluctance to match last year’s donation, Mr. McLean said.

“We would be happy to work on it if we thought we could do it,Mr. McLean said of the show, which he described as “a long-standingtradition. We all love it but it’s getting harder and harder topull off.

No land-based launch sites are being considered, Mr. McLeansaid. Meeting the space requirements for spectators, safetysetbacks and parking is a challenge and moving from the traditionalCrescent Beach site, where Island families make a day of the event,would be difficult, he said.

Corporate sponsorship is reluctantly being considered. However,”we want it to be a free, public event, he emphasized.

Mr. McLean invited anyone with an interest in helping make the2010 fireworks show a reality, or in expressing an opinion aboutit, to email him at [email protected].