Petaluma fireworks replaced with laser show

The light show will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. July 4.|

The annual Fourth of July fireworks show that traditionally takes place at the Petaluma fairgrounds will not happen this year, but the city will be celebrating the holiday with a laser light display instead, according to the Parks and Recreation Department.

The cancellation of the fireworks show was announced on Petaluma’s Parks and Recreation Department website last week, and while it was previously said to have been due solely to drought and climate concerns, city staff say the cancellation was due in part to issues involving the event’s fireworks operator.

“For the past several years, the city has enjoyed a strong partnership with the fireworks operator to host a public display at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds,” Drew Halter, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said in an email Friday. “In the weeks and months leading up to this year’s holiday there were logistical challenges related to supply chain as well as (contractual) obligations in the agreement that in the end were unable to be resolved in a timely manner.”

In place of fireworks, Halter said in a Tuesday evening email that Petaluma will put on a “unique advanced laser light display, designed to be viewed and enjoyed in the sky over the city.”

The laser show will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. July 4, and is designed to project from the downtown area to Sonoma Mountain.

“We have been told by the laser technicians if you are able to see downtown or have views of Sonoma Mountain, you will be able to see the show,” Halter said.

The show will be choreographed to music, which will be broadcast locally on on 103.3 FM.

The announcement came amid an ongoing citywide fireworks ban, which was enacted in June 2020 and includes “safe and sane” fireworks.

The city hosted a fireworks take-back event on June 26 in the Petaluma Community Center parking lot at 320 N. McDowell Blvd., where residents were invited to turn over any fireworks they may have had, no questions asked.

Jessica Power, Fire Marshal with the Petaluma Fire Department, said nearly 20 pounds of fireworks were collected. Many of those were aerial fireworks, which are illegal throughout California.

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to those members of the community that turned in their fireworks, potentially preventing them from being found and used by others, including children,” the Petaluma Fire and Police departments said in a joint news release Tuesday afternoon.

Police and fire crews plan to increase patrols on the Fourth of July holiday.

“We hope all community members safely and responsibly celebrate the holiday and encourage everyone to refrain from using fireworks,” Deputy Chief of Police Brian Miller said in an email Thursday.

Those who violate the ban are subject to fines of $1,000 or more.

Last year, Petaluma Police received more than 140 calls for service associated with Fourth of July, Miller said.

Amelia Parreira is a staff writer for the Argus-Courier. She can be reached at amelia.parreira@arguscourier.com or 707-521-5208.

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