THE FUTURE OF FIREWORKS. Specifically, the City of Eau Claire Fourth of July fireworks show. This year, the fireworks were launched from the High Bridge, a shift from the longtime location, Carson Park (above).

Following the City of Eau Claire’s decision to host this year’s July 4th fireworks show at a new location – the 80-foot-tall historic High Bridge – the Eau Claire City Council has formed an ad hoc committee to dive into what future celebrations should look like.

The decision to move Eau Claire’s fireworks show from its longstanding home of Carson Park made for contentious discussion among locals, with the city citing safety concerns as the motivations behind the location change. (It wasn’t the first time the fireworks were launched from a location other than Carson Park. Most recently, Forest Hill Cemetery was the launch point for a couple of years during the height of COVID-19).

“the goal of the committee will be to look at how eau claire should celebrate the 4th of july including non-firework options.”

EMILY BERGE

EAU CLAIRE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The city has been concerned for years about the congestion of Carson Park as well as risk of fire due to the large pine trees surrounding the launch site, among other factors. A previous misfire struck bleachers at Carson Park in 2022.

Online, some expressed concern about the fireworks being launched near residential neighborhoods and discontent over the move from Carson Park, which many consider a tradition. Others said they were excited for the new location and higher elevation point.

At their Aug. 8 meeting, the City Council approved a resolution to move forward with the creation of the ad hoc committee, which will be made up of the following: one Visit Eau Claire representative; one Veteran Services representative; one Association of Neighborhood Associations representative; one at-large community member; and City Councilmembers Charlie Johnson and Andrew Werthmann.

“The goal of the committee will be to look at how Eau Claire should celebrate the Fourth of July, including non-fireworks options. The committee will also look at the location of such a celebration,” City Council President Emily Berge said. “Our fireworks contract with Festival Foods does continue for one more year and so we will have fireworks for next year, but all options are on the table for later years.”

Berge encouraged anyone interested in filling the at-large community member committee position to fill out the boards and committee application online.

The committee will meet in the coming weeks to make a decision on the future of Fourth of July celebrations, which will be voted on by the full City Council at a subsequent council meeting.

The Eau Claire City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 4pm. Public Hearings are held at 7pm on the Monday evening before each legislative session.

Keep up with City Council on its website and the City of Eau Claire on Facebook.