Batavia Fireworks Committee 'Mortified' After Show Cancellation

BATAVIA, IL — The committee charged with producing Batavia’s annual July 4 fireworks show says it is mortified that this week’s planned Independence Day celebration failed to “go up in smoke.”

With an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 residents primed and ready for Tuesday night’s scheduled fireworks show and sky concert, the computer system that coordinates the fireworks display shut down and its backup system also failed, organizers said on Wednesday. Despite the system having worked at a different site just 24 hours before, the pyrotechnics company’s trusted system failed as the “Top Gun” theme was playing, forcing the last-second cancellation of the show.

Organizers said that the computer system, which is produced by fireworks vendor Pyrotecnico, had also worked in pre-show testing. But when the show was scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the contractor's computer system "failed to launch."

On Wednesday, committee members met with city officials and company representatives, attempting to reschedule the show.

“Thank you for sticking with us,” committee members wrote on the group’s website on Wednesday. “It was uncomfortable and mortifying for the committee. A year’s worth of planning and it did not go up in smoke.”

The biggest question now is when the show will take place. The committee says it still has the rest of the summer to re-plan and re-organize and group members promised to “make it up” to residents at a date that’s to be determined.

Committee members will now work with the Batavia police and fire departments along with the city’s park district to find a new date for the fireworks display to take place. The committee has partnered with the Batavia school district, whose fields are used for residents to enjoy the annual show. Logistically, the staging areas include the Batavia Covenant Church as well as the use of Engstrom Park, the high school parking lots, and the field. Efforts also must be coordinated with Batavia Police and Fire, ESDA, the City of Batavia utility department, the sound company, the Community Band, food vendors, Pyrotechnico, and local volunteers.

In its message on its website, the committee thanked residents who worked to support fundraisers throughout the year that helps to produce the annual show. Local businesses also provide donations that go to the fund that has been established to put on the show each year.

Susan Stark, who is one of seven committee members that raises funds for the annual fireworks show, told Patch on Thursday that between $30,000 and $35,000 is raised each year for the yearly holiday display. The funds help to cover the costs of porta-potties, the fireworks show, programs, sponsor banners, and other necessities, Stark said.

Stark said on Thursday that the committee will meet next week to begin to try to finalize dates for a make-up show.

"It's obviously much easier to plan when you have a finite date every year." Stark wrote in an email to Patch. "We are looking at dates in August and trying to coordinate the show again."