Cancellation of Gallipolis fireworks sparks confusion

Jessica Patterson and Lane Ball

9 minutes ago

GALLIA COUNTY, OH (WOWK) – With storms forecast for Thursday night, some communities have had to cancel or postpone some Independence Day events.

The Gallia County Chamber of Commerce announced Thursday afternoon that its fireworks display at the Gallipolis River Recreation Festival would be canceled. The Fourth of July parade has been postponed by two hours, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday night.

Around 1 p.m. Thursday, the Gallia County Chamber of Commerce and the Gallipolis River Recreation Festival both released the following statement on their Facebook pages:

“We are disappointed to announce that unfortunately, due to the extended weather forecast for today, the fireworks company contracted for tonight has made the decision to cancel tonight’s fireworks display. There will be no rescheduling date,” the message said. “Tonight’s entertainment will continue as scheduled and concessions will be open. Parade updates will be announced at 2 p.m. We look forward to seeing everyone in City Park!”

The company that is to organize the fireworks, Grand Finale Fireworks, said it began raising concerns about the weather with city officials Wednesday night. It said its main concern was exposing crew, equipment and supplies to possible inclement weather while traveling on a barge on the Ohio River.

Company executives, however, say they “do not appreciate” the circumstances surrounding the cancellation announcement and feel the blame is being placed on them.

Grand Finale officials said that during a phone call with the chamber and the River Rec committee, they offered the chamber “countless” opportunities to choose another date, but were allegedly “stonewalled” during the call. The chamber instead chose to “break the remaining contractual agreements by either party,” according to the company.

“The circumstances, accusations and misinterpretations surrounding the allegations made by the Gallia Chamber of Commerce are ridiculous and out of character, and are nothing more than fabricated and misleading statements to deflect responsibility onto their contractor,” said Nick Carmigiano, Owner and Lead Pyrotechnician of Grande Finale Fireworks. “Bottom line, we do NOT appreciate the Gallia Chamber of Commerce putting our name out there, then slandering it, while we are now forced to monitor and mitigate incoming calls and media traffic bombarded with community complaints and misinterpretations.”

Carmigiano also said, regarding rumors that the company was holding a deposit, that the money was being used to pay staff and restocking costs in the event of cancellations.

WOWK 13 News has reached out to the Gallia County Chamber of Commerce for more information on why the fireworks show is not being postponed. We have not yet heard back.

The company was also scheduled to handle fireworks in Middleport, just up the river in Meigs County, Ohio, on Thursday night. Village officials said that due to safety concerns, forecasts and Grand Finale recommendations, they would postpone their fireworks show until 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 7.

Carmigiano said the company also offered to reschedule the Gallipolis fireworks display for the same date and time as the Middleport fireworks display, however, the chamber has expressed no interest in rescheduling it.

The storms that hit the area also forced the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta to close the carnival and Family Fun Zone until the rain cleared. Events and entertainment resumed after the storms blew through the capital city.

In Ripley, the Fourth of July parade took place on the city streets before the rain, but city officials said they canceled the balloon rides as a safety precaution. Their carnival was also temporarily closed due to the weather, but has since reopened. Other city events, including Thursday night’s fireworks, are expected to go ahead as scheduled.