Politics & Government

Wyandotte Fireworks May Have Had Their Last Blast

City officials recommended Wednesday that the annual show be canceled due to the costs involved.

Wyandotte’s could be a thing of the past.

At a budget session Wednesday, City Administrator Todd Drysdale and Superintendent of Recreation Fred Pischke recommended that the event be eliminated due to the costs associated with it.

In the late 1990s, Drysdale said, the night of fireworks cost the city about $7,000. Last year, the bill was about $23,000. This year, he said, the costs are expected to be even higher.

Find out what's happening in Wyandottewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It has to be considered for elimination,” he said.

None of the money to pay for the event comes out of the city’s general fund, which is the account city leaders typically focus on when balancing a budget. However, the costs are still coming out of a separate fund and those dollars could be better spent, Drysdale said.

Find out what's happening in Wyandottewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

All of the revenue the city receives from the is earmarked to cover the expenses associated with other city-run special events, including the fireworks. The art fair raises about $40,000 in profit each year for the city, Drysdale said.

Last year, $18,000 of that had to be pulled out to cover the costs of the fireworks. The other $5,000 was paid for by BASF, which sponsored the event.

"The money just isn't there," Drysdale said. "We can't continue to use nearly half of the art fair proceeds to fund the fireworks."

While volunteers are stationed at the fireworks to collect donations from spectators to help offset the cost of the show, the amount collected has dwindled over the years. About $5,000 was raised this year, Drysdale said, but that money also is split with various nonprofit organizations.

"It's a shame really that the costs have gotten away from us," Drysdale said. "From a financial standpoint, it's become cost prohibitive."

When word that the fireworks could be coming to an end surfaced Wednesday, Wyandotte Patch broke the news via Facebook.

Since that time, a number of readers have chimed in.

“I think they should look at something else (to cut),” Cary Shillair Bialy said. “That is a big money maker night for local businesses, family outing and memories.”

Denise Green already has an idea on how to save the fireworks.

“How many people live in Wyandotte?” she said. “If it's more than 23,000, is everyone willing to chip in $1 per person in your household for the fireworks? I am! Could they put it as an option on our utility bill? "Check here if you would like to add $1 on your bill for the fireworks fund."

Not everyone is against them coming to an end, however.

“I have no problem with that,” Judy Maiga Izzo said. “A lot of drunken people mixed in with the families having fun.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here