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A couple of years ago, debris from Lakewood's fireworks show landed amongst the crowd in Richard O. Hartley Park. This year, the fireworks show started a brush fire at the beach.
So, yes, it was time for something to change with how Lakewood's annual fireworks show is handled.
Lakewood Village Board members have decided there should be a 300-foot radius free from people from where the fireworks are being lit along with additional signs and fencing to keep people away from the area. Village officials are considering a barge that would move the fireworks lighting off-shore similar to the annual fireworks show in the village of Mayville – though we're sure that will also increase the cost for the fireworks as well.
In our opinion, both ideas are reasonable changes that protect public safety while keeping intact one of our region's Fourth of July traditions. There's nothing quite like watching fireworks over Chautauqua Lake on the Fourth of July, whether you're in Mayville, Bemus Point or Lakewood. Dozens of cities in the western portion of the United States have begun using drone shows to replace fireworks shows because dry conditions make those areas more prone to forest fires and air quality concerns. While a few cities have changed back to fireworks after complaints from residents, the use of drone shows has grown over the past few years.
Lakewood is nowhere close to needing to consider such a drastic change. But if the brush fire at Lakewood's beach had spread, we'd be having a much different conversation right now. Credit Kurt Hallberg, Lakewood fire chief, and his crews for quickly extinguishing the fire and keeping the situation from escalating into an absolute disaster. And, give credit to Hallberg for keeping the issue in the public eye at the early July meeting of the Lakewood Village Board and sparking a necessary discussion.
We hope the changes being discussed by the Village Board make future fireworks shows a little less eventful on the ground so everyone can focus on the show in the sky.