The council on March 18 unanimously authorized the city manager to execute agreements for the 2025 Fourth of July fireworks show.
Garden State Fireworks, Inc. will provide the fireworks show. The quoted cost: $45,300.
Curtin Maritime will provide the barge services. Quoted cost: $38,500.
Technically, the Avalon council authorized City Manager David Maistros to execute the two contracts.
This was a Consent Calendar item. Consent items are voted on collectively, without discussion, unless a council member pulls one or more items for further discussion. This item was not pulled.
“Garden State Firework Inc. is a licensed fireworks operator and proposes to shoot 2,310 shells ranging from 1-6” plus 6,500 assorted effects, equaling 8,810 items shot in the air during an 18-minute show,” according to the staff report by Community Services Manager David Hart.
“Garden State Firework, Inc. is one of the oldest fireworks companies in the United States with approximately 143 years in operation. Golden State Fireworks, Inc. has been the City of Avalon vendor the last three Fourth of July celebrations,” Hart wrote.
“As per a longstanding agreement, Love Catalina pays for the firework show and has been the City of Avalon vendor the last three Fourth of July celebrations,” Hart wrote.
“As per a longstanding agreement, Love Catalina pays for the firework show and has traditionally agreed to fund the show the City Council selects,” Hart wrote.
“The fireworks will be shot off a barge at the mouth of Avalon Harbor. Curtin Maritime has agreed to provide barge services for the show for their hard costs only (labor and fuel). Any additional revenue received from the City in excess of hard costs will be donate to youth organizations on the Island. In 2024, Curtin Maritime donated approximately $30,000 to Avalon youth programs,” Hart wrote.
That was confirmed by a letter from Curtin Maritime, dated Feb. 14. “If awarded, Curtin Maritime intends to honor the same agreement made in years past whereby 100% of the proceeds from the tug and barge charter will be donated back to various programs and organizations within the City of Avalon,” wrote Chas Henderson on behalf of Curtin Maritime Corp.
