Norwalk Fourth of July Fireworks: 'Biggest Bang for Our Buck'

With the Norwalk Fourth of July fireworks tonight at Calf Pasture Beach, many may be wondering how the display is planned.

Michael Mocciae, the director of Norwalk Recreation and Parks, said it's all about getting the most for the city's money.

"We choose the biggest bang for our buck," Mocciae said, including selecting the largest legal shells in order to get the biggest fireworks possible within the city's budget of $42,000.

Norwalk used to shoot the fireworks off of the beach, which Mocciae said was much cheaper, but when state fire code changed, Norwalk could no longer accomodate the restrictions from the beach. The city now hires a barge to sit off of the coast and shoot the fireworks from, a necessity that makes up part of the event's price tag.

"That added a lot of cost to shooting fireworks," Mocciae said.

The financial side of the show also explains why it's held on July 3 instead of the Fourth of July.

"It's always been July 3 ... because if you put them on the Fourth, you're paying triple time holiday for all city services," Mocciae said. City services include having police and fire supervision at the display.

That's also the reason why July 5 is the rain date, not the Fourth itself.

For more information on tonight's fireworks, call (203) 854-7806 or check out the Norwalk Recreation and Parks website.