Milwaukee canceled July 3 fireworks. Readers are sad, disappointed and angry. | Opinion
Milwaukee will not have its traditional July 3 fireworks on the lakefront this year and a majority readers who responded to our survey are not happy about it, including some who say they make the trek back home for the display every year:
"Disappointing after all these years. Where are the big corporations who make millions off the local citizens?" - Fred in Oak Creek.
"This has been a family tradition for over 30 years. This event helps define Milwaukee in the summer. Very sad." - Doug in North Carolina.
"This has always been so well attended, safe and family friendly, and something that makes Milwaukee shine every year." - Jillian in Greenfield.
"Very sad state of Milwaukee when $30+ billion NML or the Bucks and Brewers, each who have enjoyed hundreds of millions of taxpayer handouts, can't get partners together to fund this city celebration on our beautiful lakefront." Sean in Milwaukee.
"I've been going to the fireworks since I was a little girl and I am now 67. I live in Florida but come back to Milwaukee every year for the fireworks. Seriously disappointed that in a city the size of Milwaukee, not one company could step up and sponsor this." - Maryjo in Florida.
Milwaukee County Parks canceled fireworks due to lack of sponsorship
The Milwaukee County Parks Department issued a statement on May 24 that due to a "lack of sponsorship" the July 3 fireworks over the lakefront at Veterans Park would not take place in 2024. The following week it doubled down on its decision, saying that even if a sponsor stepped forward, it was too late to save the fireworks this year.
"Milwaukee County Parks and Milwaukee Parks Foundation exhausted every effort to secure sponsorship and remained hopeful throughout the process," a joint statement read. "However, given the scale of this event, even if funding could be secured at this late stage, the limited timeframe of four weeks is insufficient to organize and execute it to the standards our community deserves."
James Causey: Milwaukee is canceling its July 3 fireworks. Someone must step up.
The event draws in over 100,000 people across the state and is a holiday tradition for many families.
"The fireworks symbolize more than just illuminating the sky – they bring us together and help create lasting memories," Journal Sentinel columnist James Causey wrote. "You can’t put a price on that."
Some respondents are happy the fireworks were canceled
Nearly 150 people responded to our call for reactions. While a clear majority of respondents said they were either angry or very angry, some (about 12%) are happy about the news:
"Fireworks are bad for the environment and wildlife. Their noise creates problems for many people and pets, and injuries happen. There are other ways to celebrate other than fireworks, and drone shows are much safer and better for the environment." - Andrew in Wauwatosa.
"I think people's idea of 'celebration of freedom = fireworks' is narrow-minded. And there are also fourteen other parks that are doing fireworks? I don't understand the big deal. I think people always need something to have an 'us vs them' mentality or a villain to be upset about something but in reality, it's just life, and things change. This leaves way to create a new tradition and a new opportunity." - M. Hunt in West Allis.
"I live a block from Lake Michigan and despise the crowds and noise that accompany fireworks." - George in Milwaukee.
"It is a drain on our city's resources. Our inner city is in chaos with criminal activity, roads are terrible, MPS is a failure. Fireworks are not a priority and there are plenty of other parks and municipalities that can provide this type of entertainment." - Liza in Milwaukee.
"It's great that Milwaukee County is showing legitimate respect for the troops with its Independence Day Eve celebration. Fireworks are incredibly problematic for veterans, particularly those who experience the effects of PTSD as a result of their service." - Eric in Milwaukee.
The lack of fireworks sponsorship has many readers puzzled
The majority of respondents said they would support a business that would sponsor the event next year. Some readers mentioned specific businesses by name they wondered if the county approached or could have stepped up this year including the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Northwestern Mutual, Harley Davidson and Baird:
"Appears extremely disingenuous. I question if the county attempted to find other sponsors. I believe many local companies would get involved." Susan in Milwaukee.
“If the Parks Department had publicly announced the lack of sponsorship earlier in the spring, the money would have been raised, even if it required smaller contributions from numerous businesses. I've spoken with several counterparts with larger-than-average advertising budgets, and none were contacted by the County. Based on that, it seems more like the County just wanted to move on from the fireworks.” - Thomas in Milwaukee.
Some readers took issue with Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith’s comments that the July 3 fireworks had run is course:
“I think many area businesses would be willing to contribute if asked early on. Saying they’ve 'run their course' is just plain ignorant when you see the crowds that attend - people camp and bring their entire families and friends to celebrate,”- Kristen in Saukville.
Some responses mentioned taxes:
"I agree with the article about tax increases, but if it can't go towards that, charge residents $1 more in taxes each year and it will pay for July 3 fireworks and surplus for the parks. This has been a family tradition since I was a young child and I'm sad I won't be able to carry on the tradition and pass it to my kids." - Stephanie in Brown Deer.
"I’m extremely angry that Milwaukee taxes were raised this year, yet we can’t afford or find a sponsor firework show. I’m tired of corporate greed and the rich cutting corners to try and save money any way they can even if it cost the happiness of everyone else." - Heather in West Allis.
The majority of respondents say they are not planning on going to any of the 14 country parks setting off fireworks on July 4.
Final thoughts on the cancelation and potential revival of July 3 event
When asked to share their overall thought, many said they will miss the community experience the fireworks offered as a non-partisan, family friendly event:
“Short sighted politicians who don’t prioritize the value in supporting events that build unity from [all] walks of life represented in Milwaukee. Our July 3rd celebration contributes to why people call Milwaukee a great place to live…and we as a city should continue to foster this non-partisan celebration.” - Dave in Milwaukee.
“The city can host an RNC, Bucks playoffs games, all kinds of festivals, many of which are not exactly family-friendly, yet it can't manage a free event that attracts people from all income, age, ethnic and geographic segments.” - Jim in Wauwatosa.
"Sad to see the loss of another Milwaukee tradition. With the state refusing to adequately fund our park system and the private sector sitting on their profits, it is becoming more difficult to keep traditions alive and come together as a community. The city and county should reevaluate the tax incentives given particularly to the locally based Fortune 500 companies given their unwillingness to contribute." - Josh in Milwaukee.
Zoe Takaki is an intern for the Ideas Lab. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago, where she studied journalism.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee residents respond to county canceling lakefront fireworks
