Fireworks could be coming next independence Day in Sequim depending on proposals tentatively coming to Sequim city councilors. Sequim hosts fireworks each May for the Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show, as seen here in 2018. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

Fireworks could be coming next independence Day in Sequim depending on proposals tentatively coming to Sequim city councilors. Sequim hosts fireworks each May for the Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show, as seen here in 2018. (Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)

Fireworks possible for Sequim’s Fourth in 2021

Council agrees to keep drone show with Sunshine Festival

SEQUIM — Drones are out for next year’s Fourth of July. Fireworks could be going up in Sequim skies instead.

Sequim City Council members on Monday asked Barbara Hanna, Sequim’s marketing and communications director, to seek a proposal for a public fireworks show on the Fourth of July in 2021.

Hanna said she spoke to neighboring communities about their fireworks shows and learned that a 30- 40 minute show could cost between $15,000 and $20,000.

In recent months, an illuminated drone show was under consideration. Hanna received an estimate from Firefly Drone Shows that would cost $46,410 for a 15-minute choreographed show with 100 drones on July 4, 2021.

While council members liked the idea of bringing back a drone show following the city’s first Sequim Sunshine Festival in March, the cost was too high for some compared with the $32,800 the city paid earlier this year in the company’s offseason.

Council member Troy Tenneson said “the drones would be cool but double the cost (of fireworks) plus extra for lodging.

“Right now, fireworks is making a good case for itself.”

Mayor William Armacost said the early estimate for fireworks is “reasonable.”

“For a better bang for our buck, the fireworks is a good direction to go,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Tom Ferrell said, “there’s nothing like the smell of fireworks on the Fourth of July.”

Following a request by council members earlier this month, the city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) — a committee of hotels, bed and breakfasts and tourism officials — recommended that hotel/motel tax funds not be used to support a Fourth of July drone show because they felt it should remain an anchor to the Sequim Sunshine Festival.

Hanna said she could ask the LTAC about funding a fireworks show, and consider options to seek sponsors for a potential fireworks show.

“My concern is that everybody is struggling a little bit right now,” she said. “I’m not sure if it’s as feasible as it would have been a year ago.”

Smith said his mind wasn’t “wrapped around drones” and that he’d be in favor of a fireworks show.

He said the start of the idea came after city residents agreed in an advisory vote to ban the discharge of fireworks in November 2016, with 65.6 percent in favor. The City Council approved the ban soon afterward.

“There were several citizens that came forward and said, ‘OK city, why don’t you put (a public show) forward?’” Smith said.

No date was set for when the City Council would consider a fireworks show proposal. City Manager Charlie Bush said earlier this month it could be added to the city’s 2021 budget if needed.

________

Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

More in News

From left, Mercedes Sunshine Shimko and Hudson Soelter.
Club grows local scholarships

The Port Angeles Garden Club awarded five area students… Continue reading

Ian Mason of Edgewood, an employee of Titan Earthworks, hammers a brick paver into place at the corner of First and Oak streets in downtown Port Angeles on Wednesday as part of a project to replace and repair sidewalks and curbs across the city. Included are the installation of improved wheelchair ramps, replacement of overgrown trees and numerous street corner repairs. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Sidewalk repairs

Ian Mason of Edgewood, an employee of Titan Earthworks, hammers a brick… Continue reading

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe members gather by the Elwha River to hold a ceremony in support of a petition to protect forests in the Elwha River Watershed. (John Gussman)
Groups advocate for timber cancellation

Water, environment center of concerns

Jefferson hears possible floodplains changes

New development standards, compliance and enforcement in updated code

Crews to trim tree limbs in Blyn

Maintenance workers from the state Department of Transportation will be… Continue reading

EYE ON BUSINESS: This week’s meetings

Meetings on Wednesdays at the student-run… Continue reading

Election security measures in place

Fire suppressant just one example

Ruby Speer, 3, of Port Angeles receives a treat from KaraLee Monroe of Kindred Collective as part of Thursday’s Halloween festivities in downtown Port Angeles. Hundreds of youngsters and adults made their way door-to-door in search of candy and other treasures. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Trick or treat in Port Angeles

Ruby Speer, 3, of Port Angeles receives a treat from KaraLee Monroe… Continue reading

Karen Huber, sister of Nash Huber, the owner of Nash’s Organic Produce, stands by large crates that hold various seeds that Nash sells to farmers. She said she’s mitigated alleged violations and concerns from property owner, Washington Land Trust, but the longtime farmer faces eviction from the property if he doesn’t comply with ending his lease agreement that goes through 2032. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Washington Farmland Trust could evict Dungeness farmer

Nash Huber helped preserve Delta Farm in 1999

Amy Seidewand chair making. (Lacey Carnahan)
Port Townsend Woodworkers Show ready for the weekend

Event dedicated to memory of woodworking pillar

Two ghosts dangle from a tree in the breeze in the 200 block of West 10th street in Port Angeles. Halloween events are scheduled today throughout the North Olympic Peninsula. (Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News)
Ghostly visions

Two ghosts dangle from a tree in the breeze in the 200… Continue reading