Fourth of July Fireworks at Weiss Field Wednesday, July 3

This year’s Fourth of July fireworks display will again be held at Weiss Field, on July 3. Avon Lake alternates years for holding the display on July 4.

“We capped it at $14,000 and asked three different fireworks firms to see what they would offer for that money,” Zilka said.

Zilka said the city had to determine if they wanted to focus on “line of sight” or a program that would shoot the fireworks higher and be seen from a wider area.

The line of sight program would essentially be visible from the location only, which will again be at Weiss Field this year.

The firework committee narrowed the selection down to North Olmsted based Mad Bomber and Pyrotecnico.

“After considerable debate, we went with Pyrotecnico,” Zilka said.

Zilka said they asked for a show between 20 and 25 minute show and both Mad Bomber and Pyrotecnico quoted them at 22 minutes.

Pyrotecnico offered the most (112) six-inch shells, which create the largest bursts of the 2.5-inch to 6-inch shells.

“We think it will be, if you will, the best bang for the buck,” Zilka said.

In July 2011, in the midst of a recession, council heavily debated spending $14,500 to Mad Bomber for that year’s display with some council members saying they wanted the city to negotiate a better price.

This year will mark the second consecutive year the fireworks will be held at Weiss Field. Previously, they were held at Miller Road Park in conjunction with ArtsFest.

ArtsFest was scrapped last year.

“The cost of the event (with ArtsFest) was quite high including overtime,” Zilka said in 2012. “The hours put into it where quite a bit. This would be more affordable.”

This year, council approved awarding Pyrotecnico the contract unanimously.