Tourism Board will work to revive fireworks show
The county’s tourism authority plans to get together with fire chiefs in Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head to see what it would take to produce a fireworks show next year.
Complaints poured in after the two towns cancelled displays this year, citing tight budgets and new rules that grew out of a tragic explosion in Ocracoke.
“We need to have a plan in place … ” said Paul Buske, Chairman of the Dare County Tourism Board.
Getting the tourism board involved seemed to be the most popular sentiment after the cancellations. The board is funded by occupancy taxes and is charged with promoting tourism.
Buske said the board needed to get more information on the new law, which requires training and licensing for anyone handling fireworks, find a location and figure out how much it would cost.
The state created the new rule after the deaths of four workers who were unloading a truck carrying fireworks. Hatteras Island and Ocracoke also cancelled displays this year. The only fireworks were in Manteo and Corolla.
Shortly before July 4, the General Assembly suspended the new rule, but by then, many communities had already cancelled their shows.
In the past, Nags Head spent about $20,000 for fireworks and $7,000 to $10,000 in overtime for police and fire crews. They were launched at Nags Head Fishing Pier. The week after July 4 this year, the town’s Board of Commissioners agreed to ask the tourism board for help.
One idea was to launch them at Jennette’s Pier, a new state facility scheduled to open by Memorial Day at Whalebone Junction.
Kill Devil Hills found that it would need to ask the owner of Avalon Pier to close for two days during the Outer Banks’ busiest week of the year. Fire Chief Doug Penland also said there also was not enough time to train and test town employees who traditionally helped with the show.
The tourism board will take the lead on coming up with a plan and possibly ask the two towns to share the costs.
On the cover: state Department of Cultural Resources photo.
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Ray says:
I think it’s about time the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce starting footing all or a large part of the bills for the July 4th fireworks. With all their membership, about all I ever see them spending money for is lobbying for political candidates, holding ribbon cuttings and after-hour wine affairs. In my opinion, (1)they need to start helping promote the Outer Banks a whole lot more than they do, and, most importantly, (2) stay out the people’s hair here in Dare County. Voters here don’t need their board’s advice when it comes to most matters around here.
One very noticable thing here in the county this past July 4th, when I rode to Manteo for the fireworks and noticed that no local businesses decorated with flying flags or anything for the holiday. I saw one church on the bypass decorated and one flag on a pole that stays there year round. Yet, when I rode down the beach road, I saw cottage after cottage where our visitors brought their flags and flew them. Frankly, I was embarrassed to think our local busineeses were that tight.
ekim says:
We the people of this small town can get things done if we stand together an raise enough cane!
Duke says:
Manteo does a wonderful job every year, not just with the fireworks but with a whole day of celebration. They do ask the businesses for donations. I am not sure what the response is but I would like to think that the businesses help fund part of the celebration. Too bad the traffic prohibits many from coming here. It is a nightmare trying to get back to the beach. Many, like me, come by boat
ekim says:
They need to use some of their money and time to get our beaches back open!
UncleKB says:
My name is Kenny Brite. I have chaired or co-chaired Avon’s July 4th fireworks since the beginning in 1998.
If the Tourism Board agrees to help our northern neighbors, I hope they will spread some of the “love” down south.
Several years ago, we asked for assistance. We were told, by the Tourism board, that they couldn’t help with our fireworks. We were told they spent thier money to increase occupancy and we were full during July.
I guess their priorities can change.
Ray says:
I would say for sure the tourism board has changed it’s priorities, Uncle, Kenny. They’re even getting into the paper bag warehouse business. I suggest that Avon knock on the door of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. I believe they have some directors on Hatteras Island with deep pockets..