Editor’s note: Community Services (Recreation) Director Dan Huncke provided the Islander with the following statement in response to a request from the Islander.
“I received an email on Sunday morning, July 4th, at approximately 5:30am stating the firework show for Avalon would have to be cancelled. The explanation for the cancellation was that the licensed operator for the Avalon show had “walked” (along with the crew for the show) and after trying throughout the night to find a new operator and get the barge loaded for the Avalon show there was no one available and now there was not enough time even if they could find an operator.
“In speaking with the licensed operator for the Avalon show later in the day and further follow-up the following day, she had concern about the permit not being in order along with realized some safety concerns when firing the Two Harbors show that caused the team to not proceed with the Avalon show.
“Staff reached out to another firework show producer to see if there was anything that could be done to salvage a show for Avalon but it just became too late to produce a show with the logistics involved with being on the island.
“The operator is the person that holds the license to shoot the fireworks.
“Staff will reach out to other companies that provide pyrotechnic shows for proposals to take over the Avalon show.
“Gary and Kellie Johnson privately funded the firework show for this year. They offered last July 4th but as we were still in the middle of the pandemic that show was postponed. The Johnsons felt compelled to sponsor the show as a celebration of America’s Independence Day along with celebrating the reopening of the Avalon community and visitors coming back. The show provider has made reassurances to both Gary Johnson and myself that they will be reimbursed in full for the cost of the firework show.”
