[ArtB]

I am sure this has been discussed before but I can't believe The Villages is not sponsoring a 4th of July fireworks display. Watching fireworks shot off accross the lake a Lake Sumter would be awesome!
In the meantime, where else are fireworks offered?

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by ArtB

I am sure this has been discussed before but I can't believe The Villages is not sponsoring a 4th of July fireworks display. Watching fireworks shot off accross the lake a Lake Sumter would be awesome!
In the meantime, where else are fireworks offered?

I agree that it would be great, but when I put on my devil's advocate hat, I come up with the following reasons why it may not be done:

Cost - fireworks aren't cheap, so who would pay? The developer? I would assume that for the developer to pay that it would have to be as a result of a positive payback - would it help sell more houses? Would it allow an increase in commercial rents for the businesses? Not too likely in either case. How about if the CDD pay for it? That would have to come from our amenity fees which means that something else would have to be sacrificed.

Viewing area - When you think of the thousands who would show up for this, where would they all stand/sit? The boardwalk area is quite limited, as is the hotel area. There's some space on the bridge, but not much. I suppose the Palmer golf course could be closed to accomodate spectators, but at what cost to the grounds and greens? In all likelihood the golf course would have to hire extra security just to keep people away. A probably not unfounded fear is that a lot of vegetation all around the lake would be trampled with people trying to find a better vantage point. There is also the fear that private property may be trespassed upon with people thinking "well, they're not here for the summer and they won't mind."

[njbchbum]

Daily Commercial - <p>Lake, Sumter hold Fourth of July events</p>

Fourth of July Lake County: Fourth of July celebrations in Lake County to take patriotic flavor - Orlando Sentinel

Slight chance of soggy fireworks on 4th | Ocala.com

[Bonny]

We bought our lot in September of 1999. We came down for New Year's Eve that year. The Villages had fireworks that year & it was the last year.

Originally Posted by Bonny

it was the last year.

why? does anyone really know why?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan

why? does anyone really know why?

Lack of parking
Lack of viewing area
Requirements for crowd control
I imagine it worked when TV had 10000 residents.
Just imagine the number of attendees after the word got out to Leesburg, Ocala, Wildwood and all parts in between.

[Bonny]

The following year they were asked. 2 of the things that came up was liability & all the Buffalo that were in the area.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by NJblue

I agree that it would be great, but when I put on my devil's advocate hat, I come up with the following reasons why it may not be done:

Cost - fireworks aren't cheap, so who would pay? The developer? I would assume that for the developer to pay that it would have to be as a result of a positive payback - would it help sell more houses? Would it allow an increase in commercial rents for the businesses? Not too likely in either case. How about if the CDD pay for it? That would have to come from our amenity fees which means that something else would have to be sacrificed.

Viewing area - When you think of the thousands who would show up for this, where would they all stand/sit? The boardwalk area is quite limited, as is the hotel area. There's some space on the bridge, but not much. I suppose the Palmer golf course could be closed to accomodate spectators, but at what cost to the grounds and greens? In all likelihood the golf course would have to hire extra security just to keep people away. A probably not unfounded fear is that a lot of vegetation all around the lake would be trampled with people trying to find a better vantage point. There is also the fear that private property may be trespassed upon with people thinking "well, they're not here for the summer and they won't mind."

NJBlue, I agree with you. In addition to the cost of the fireworks and the thousands of people who would crowd the boardwalk (would it collapse with that many people?), the smoke & haze from fireworks is terrible & the fireworks debris is filthy. You know what your water bucket looks like after setting off a few fireworks at home. Can you imagine all that filth in our beautiful Lake Sumter? And then there's always the chance of a rocket that veers off course. In my opinion the fire danger alone is enough of a reason to ban fireworks. Shooting off fireworks near houses with gas lines in the roofs & the burning embers falling on palm trees just doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan

why? does anyone really know why?

No, I don't think we really know why, but an educated guess would be the fear of "litigation". Does anyone remember we used to have Bison here?

[Bavarian]

Party Poopers!
Have buckets for donations fot the fireworks. Make it a patriotic day with the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Color Corp, Patriotic music.

The stores could also chip in some money.

We had beautiful fireworks here in St. Mary's County for years at the Fairground. Was end of a full day of entertainment and food, (for sale). Then when the 4th was rained out, the Commissoners decided to stop since they lost money spent on the unused fireworks. We all would have put money in the bucket to pay for them. Accross the river, Solomons Isl still has them and we can see them from accross the River. One firehouse started having them, but this year they had them already 30 Jun.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

Party Poopers!
Have buckets for donations fot the fireworks. Make it a patriotic day with the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Color Corp, Patriotic music.

The stores could also chip in some money.

We had beautiful fireworks here in St. Mary's County for years at the Fairground. Was end of a full day of entertainment and food, (for sale). Then when the 4th was rained out, the Commissoners decided to stop since they lost money spent on the unused fireworks. We all would have put money in the bucket to pay for them. Accross the river, Solomons Isl still has them and we can see them from accross the River. One firehouse started having them, but this year they had them already 30 Jun.

I think you responed to your own suggestion............

[duffysmom]

We are one hour from Disney where you can see spectacular fireworks. I'm happy that we don't have them in TV; they are a major disturbance to the enviroment, pets and wildlife. Thank you Morse family.

[justjim]

There is a fear of a lawsuit for almost anything you do these days. That is why you have insurance. There must be a way to have a safe professional fireworks show in TV. Look at the crowds for the various parades around the squares. The way you read the various posts-----they could soon be history. Maybe the polo fields would be an appropriate place for a 4th of July Celebration? I agree its a shame not to have some sort of Celebration for such an important day in the history of our Country.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by justjim

There is a fear of a lawsuit for almost anything you do these days. That is why you have insurance. There must be a way to have a safe professional fireworks show in TV. Look at the crowds for the various parades around the squares. The way you read the various posts-----they could soon be history. Maybe the polo fields would be an appropriate place for a 4th of July Celebration? I agree its a shame not to have some sort of Celebration for such an important day in the history of our Country.

There are celebrations on both town squares.

[alemorkam]

Mount Dora has a great parade in the morning and fireworks in the afternoon.