ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING JULY 4, 2021 FALMOUTH FIREWORKS
More than 40 years ago in the dead of winter, eight friends gathered to discuss the highlight of every American’s summer – the Fourth of July. Falmouth, at the time, had no July 4th celebration, so this group took it upon themselves to organize our inaugural fireworks show. Since then, this group has grown into the Falmouth Fireworks Committee, a group of private citizens who work tirelessly every year to raise tens of thousands of dollars in order to produce what has been recognized as one of the best fireworks displays in the United States.
Planning for Falmouth Fireworks begins on July 5 of the preceding year, to include fundraising, booking the Fireworks company, and arranging for the many supporting elements required to produce such a show. This past year has proven to be extremely difficult in the solicitation of funding, as the majority of our funding comes through private and local business contributors that have been severely impacted by COVID.
In order to assure that the fireworks can take place, within 60 days of July 4 non-refundable deposits and insurance payments must be made by our contractor, Atlas PyroVision, and advanced notice must be given to Falmouth Police, Fire, and others. However, as of this date, the town has not been able to give us clearance for this year’s fireworks, and current CDC guidelines along with the protocols set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have created an extensive list of unknowns regarding holding an event of this size safely.
In view of the above considerations, as well as the need to prioritize the safety of our community, visitors, and volunteers, the Falmouth Fireworks Committee has determined that we will not be able to produce the 2021 Fourth of July Fireworks. Although we were hoping that we could all come together on our waterfront to celebrate, it is clear that this cannot happen.
Despite the fact that there will be no fireworks, WE WILL CELEBRATE our nation’s birthday in 2021. The Fireworks Committee is developing alternative plans that will enable us to safely and appropriately honor our country and show how proud we are to be citizens of the United States of America. Preliminary plans include a Patriotic Home Decorating contest and, in lieu of our annual tee-shirt sales, there is town-wide availability of the Committee’s recently-published commemorative book “40 Years of Falmouth Fireworks – A Patriotic Tribute”, featuring 30 images of Karen Rinaldo’s annual Fireworks tee-shirt designs, as well as descriptions, historical information, and some fun facts. For additional details on these and other events as they are developed, please visit our website at falmouthfireworks.org or follow us on Facebook.
This past year will long be remembered for its unprecedented challenges and for how we as Falmouth citizens came together to meet those challenges. Rest assured that we have already begun to work towards 2022. We are confident that we will once again welcome everyone back to fireworks at Falmouth Heights – a day on which we will celebrate not only the Fourth of July, but the spirit of Falmouth and the resiliency of our community.
We thank you, as always, for your continued and unwavering support.
Falmouth Fireworks Committee