City fireworks attempts fail to sparkle

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- The city’s failure to fill the void created when

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort announced it would not offer Fourth of

July fireworks this year isn’t for lack of trying, officials say.

City staffers, led by City Manager Homer Bludau, have considered three

ways to put on a fireworks show of the city’s own, in the hope of

replacing the beloved Dunes tradition.

Though operators of the Newport Dunes said they canceled the annual

show because liability costs had spiraled out of control, city officials

have looked for ways to bear the burden. In talks with Dunes operators,

city officials looked for ways to take the liability burden on

themselves, perhaps by covering insurance costs along with the cost of

putting on the show.

But talks failed to bring fireworks back to the Dunes.

“The Dunes didn’t want to do it, and also the company that puts on the

show said they are not interested because of their liability,” Bludau

said.

City officials also considered putting on their own show, either from

one of the piers or from a rented barge that would serve as a floating

platform for launching the pyrotechnics.

The problem, though, is that a fireworks show over the water would

make the Balboa Peninsula a good spot for viewing the show. And that,

officials say, is more than the peninsula could take.

“Anyone who has ever seen the peninsula on July 4th would understand,”

City Councilman Steve Bromberg said, explaining the Police Department’s

decision to not support the plan.

For the Police Department, it’s a matter of resources. The West

Newport area has been dubbed by some “Party Central” during the summer

months. And the peninsula, a favorite destination for rowdy summer

revelers, sees some of its most intense action on the Fourth of July. To

keep the party in check, police usually increase patrols during the

busiest times. And, even without adding a fireworks show, it’s all they

can do to keep the area properly patrolled.

Now, with those options officially foiled, it looks like the city is

out of ideas for how to replace the Dunes fireworks show -- a loss many

residents say really hurts. Though there are still plans to have a

fireworks show in Big Canyon and at Little Corona, the Dunes tradition

may be done.

“At this point, none of the things we tried have turned out to be good

options,” Bludau said.

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .