Yorba Linda’s most-watched civic event – the July 4 fireworks display – has an interesting history. Equally interesting is the detailed proposal for this year’s fireworks show from the city’s longtime vendor, Rialto-based Pyro Spectaculars.
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This year’s event will be the 37th since the first display in 1989, and again is expected to draw thousands of spectators to Veterans Park and the Yorba Linda Middle School campus and in backyards, front lawns and vehicles parked on nearby streets.
The annual display has replaced many block parties and family celebrations that once featured the now-prohibited “safe and sane” fireworks that were sold by local nonprofit organizations as fund-raising endeavors.
The City Council outlawed the sale and use of fireworks within city limits early in 1987, after a 1986 advisory vote in which residents cast 8,651 votes in favor of a ban and 4,207 against.
At first, the cost of the show was financed from the city’s general fund budget, but as income tightened, officials designated two sources to pay the event’s yearly expenses.
One source was the rent from the annual pumpkin patch and Christmas tree lot on the city-owned property at the northeast corner of Imperial Highway and Yorba Linda Boulevard, which is now home to the Yorba Linda Town Center.
The other was the rent earned from a cell tower in Brush Canyon Park, with added income from corporate sponsors and miscellaneous venue sales. Current corporate sponsors include Kristen Fowler Real Estate, Rutan and Tucker (the city’s law firm) and Chick-fil-A restaurants.
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The fireworks portion of this year’s event costs $38,750. According to a report to the council by Mike Brandenburger, the city’s recreation supervisor, “Pyro Spectaculars has been responsive, met expectations and provided exceptional fireworks displays conducted by an experienced fireworks crew.”
Based on this year’s proposal from the fireworks firm, viewers can expect a wide array of pyrotechnic selections, including 100 shots of 2-inch and 400 shots of 2.5-inch aerial shells. Some 4,208 shots of seven different types of pyrotechnic devices also are planned for the main body of the show.
The grand finale is expected to feature 502 shells, consisting of 250 2-inch and 252 2.5-inch bombardment shells. A total of 5,210 shots is anticipated during the 20-minute display that’s scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.
Interestingly, according to news reports, this year’s fireworks show on the National Mall will attempt to set a Guinness world record for the largest fireworks display, with a 40-minute show consisting of 860,000 shells. The usual mall show uses 17,000 to 20,000 shells.
The Veterans Park site on south Valley View Avenue will open at 5 p.m. for family activities that include a free kids’ fun zone, food vendors and live music from Daniel Bonte and the Bona Fide. No alcohol, personal fireworks or tarps on grass are allowed. Animals are not recommended because of the noise levels involved.
Jim Drummond is a longtime Yorba Linda resident. He regularly gives his take on local issues. Send e-mail to [email protected].
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