Murrieta Mesa, Vista Murrieta High Schools Getting Fireworks Shows

MURRIETA, CA — Murrieta Mesa and Vista Murrieta High Schools will see fireworks shows at their respective 2023-24 homecoming games.

During Thursday's Murrieta Valley Unified School District board of education meeting, the trustees unanimously approved the nighttime displays. Trustee Nick Pardue was absent.

The "short" fireworks extravaganzas provided by Rialto-based Pyro Spectacular will occur during the Sept. 15 homecoming football games' halftime shows. The schools' respective Associated Student Body funds will cover the operator's fees, which are $5,000 per campus, according to district documents.

The Murrieta Mesa show on the campus's baseball field is scheduled at 8:30 p.m. while the Vista Murrieta production is slated for 8 p.m. on the school's soccer field.

Each fireworks display includes a licensed pyrotechnic operator, a specialized crew, an electronic firing system, and safety equipment used for support and protection, according to district documents.

"To help ensure public safety, the company works directly with the local fire authority and applies for all the necessary fire department and other fireworks-related permits," according to the documents.

During Thursday's vote, Trustee Julie Vandergrift joked, "Hopefully we have insurance."

Superintendent Ward Andrus said the MVUSD is "well covered," adding that the district's risk management team, along with Murrieta police and fire, will scrutinize the events.