Princeton’s July 4 tradition extinguished

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PRINCETON — Due to the lack of a suitable site meeting safetyrequirements, no Fourth of July fireworks will light upPrinceton’s sky this year. Other shows across the region areproceeding as scheduled.

“During the past week, there has been a number of inquiriesabout the status of the fireworks display that is usually held onthe Fourth of July in Princeton City Park,” City ManagerWayne Shumate said Wednesday. “Regretfully, I have to reportto the public that the event will not occur this year.”

Princeton City Park is near Princeton Community Hospital and thecity’s police, fire and public works departments, Shumatesaid. Traffic and parking issues along Morrison Drive during a showcan make getting an ambulance or other emergency vehicle throughthe area difficult.

“Some of these problems have been escalating,” Shumatesaid. “You certainly wouldn’t want to have atragedy.”

In previous years the city’s fireworks shows were launchednear Hunnicutt Field. During some events local choirs would performpatriotic music during the rocket bursts, creating a stirringscene, Shumate recalled. Unfortunately, the State Fire Marshal hadconcerns about the location. During one incident, a rocket explodedincorrectly and sent sparks towards the crowd.

The site used by fireworks shooters is now occupied by PrincetonPrimary School.

“The criteria for a new site would include a large enougharea so that homes and businesses would not be impacted.”

A fireworks site would also need appropriate space for parking andrestroom facilities. Passable highway access in case of anemergency and meeting the minimum requirements designated by theWest Virginia State Code are also necessary.

In nearby Bluefield, there will be fireworks July 3 by theBluefield Orioles Baseball Club following the game at Bowen Field.Fireworks are also scheduled for celebrations at Peel ChestnutMountain near Pocahontas, Va., July 3, and at Pocahontas’sLaurel Meadows Park on July 4.

The Town of Tazewell will launch fireworks July 4 at Tazewell HighSchool when nightfall arrives.

In Grundy, Va., there will be fireworks at 10 p.m. July 4 fromPoplar Gap Park. The park will close to the public at 6 p.m. forsafety reasons. Parking for viewers will be on the Southern GapDevelopment site. The show is sponsored by the Buchanan CountySupervisors and the Town of Grundy, Va.