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4th of July Fireworks Show Canceled at Lakewood Park

The show will not be rescheduled. Mayor Michael Summers: “I am personally embarrassed.”

Thousands of people crammed into left disappointed after the 4th of July fireworks show was canceled.

A computer board that operates the massive fireworks display is to blame for the cancelation of the show.

It will not be rescheduled.

Thousands of people  — many of them camped out at the park for hours — began a slow retreat to their homes when the lights came back on at around 10:30 p.m.

A few rounds went off at around 9:30 p.m., but that was it.

Mayor Mike Summers said he was “disappointed” and added that the show will not be rescheduled. 

“There was a major electronics issue, and we can’t be sure it won’t happen again tomorrow,” he said.

“We’re sorry. I am personally embarrassed. I feel bad for the citizens of Lakewood.” 

Summers said he didn’t have much information, but one fire official said that the computer board that operates the show went “bad.”

No word yet on whether the city will seek a refund from the company, Pennsylvania-based Pyrotecnico. 

“This is their third year, they’ve had two fabulous shows — but tonight, not so,” Summers said.

Alex Vandehoff July 5, 2012 at 04:36 pm
It's truly incredible how many first time contributors there are on this post. I guess it takes something as important as fire works to get people to come out of the woodwork.
Then there are those like Bob Smith who only seem to be able to insult people.
leah July 5, 2012 at 05:09 pm
Thank you Alex. I agree that this is the best comment.
Peter Grossetti July 5, 2012 at 05:10 pm
Still waiting for my phone call from Bob "Hiding Behing My Keyboard" Smith!
John July 5, 2012 at 05:28 pm
This is a joke. they gather thousands of people to watch these fireworks but they knew from the beginning that the show wasnt going to start. Ive heard that lakewood didnt want to give money for the fireworks show because they didnt have much to spend so im sure they made it look like it was a malfunction just so it looks like its not their fault.
Thats why there not going to reschedule the show because they never had any fireworks to start from. It pisses me off and im sure it pisses everyone off aswell. Dont believe what they say because its not true. They ruined our fourth of july and they know it. while i couldve went for my vaction down to florida and watch their fireworks i stayed here in lakewood because they always had good fireworks just not last night. Its a real disappointment but you cant do anything about it.
JLS July 5, 2012 at 05:37 pm
The pool PA system was used. However, how do you expect to hear it on the other side of the park with 500 people hootin and hollering in your ear about no fireworks yet AND the speakers pointed directly at the pool only? Come on now. Did you not enjoy the whole day shared with family and friends prior to the works?
Brandon Scullion July 5, 2012 at 05:39 pm
And you have this on good authority, John???
Brandon Scullion July 5, 2012 at 05:41 pm
It's understandable to be upset and angry but the man still deserves the appropriate respect.
i.e. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Summers or perhaps even Mike.
Peter Grossetti July 5, 2012 at 05:56 pm
yep, that does it ... I have now absolutely, positively heard everything! ROTFLMAO!
Joshua McLaughlin July 5, 2012 at 06:02 pm
My family was really disappointed that the fireworks were cancelled, especially my 5 year old. That being said, we had an awesome day that included marching in the parade for Early Childhood PTA, going to numerous friends party's on our street, Belle and just enjoying the day and what it means.
I think people should get over their feeling of entitlement and be happy that nobody was hurt and this didn't end like the fireworks of '82. I was there in the front for the first time at the age of 7. I still think of it every 4th. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19820706&id=RklPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JgMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6698,7600804
Kelly July 5, 2012 at 06:17 pm
Why should a renter not be able to complain about this? Are you saying that you think renters don't help fund anything that happens in the city of Lakewood? Have you not realized how much of the Lakewood population is, in fact, renters?
Also, does that imply that only residents of Lakewood were the only ones (or should be the only ones allowed) who attended the fireworks?
John Kopecky July 5, 2012 at 06:25 pm
Did anyone see what happened in San Diego last night. The entire 20 minute fireworks display went off within a span of 15 seconds after an electronics display shot off everything at once. Luckily the same didn't happen in Lakewood.
Brandon Scullion July 5, 2012 at 06:32 pm
Yes but that would have been an intense scene to watch.
One giant finale!!!
Peter Grossetti July 5, 2012 at 06:37 pm
Kelly - There is a growing number of people in Lakewood (based on posts I read here and elsewhere) who feel that we renters in Lakewood are second class citizens who should not have any say in anything. There is also growing sentiment that a person's "worth" is based only on their income, if they are a property/business owner and what they add to the city's coffers via taxes. Sad, isn't it?
Joe July 5, 2012 at 06:44 pm
The citizens of Lakewood that had their own fireworks we're harassed and ticketed more than ever this year even after the disappointment at the lake so alot of families around here didn't get the chance to see much of anything a lot of our neighbors we're upset at the police for being so strict and ruining our 4th
Bob Smith July 5, 2012 at 07:09 pm
I'm sure you are... just like you are waiting for the first of next month.
Bob Smith July 5, 2012 at 07:14 pm
Joe - I am sorry that you were not able to break the law without interruption by Lakewood PD. I will write a strongly worded letter to them on your behalf.
Joe July 5, 2012 at 07:25 pm
I think that Guy John is on to something because the way the police we're shutting down the citizens fireworks and all the problems at the lake. It's starting to seem like Mayor Summer's is against fourth of July. 30,0000 people weren't on their phones talking the majority of us down there were to busy paying attention to the display workers with hope it will start in a second
Brandon Scullion July 5, 2012 at 07:28 pm
You are calling people you don't know morons when:
"if u (you) would have listen(ed) there instead of typong (typing) here...hello..wasn't there a bandstand WITH microhones (microphones)." Your ramblings, and they are in fact ramblings, makes about as much sense as people stating that the mayor should be recalled.
Joe July 5, 2012 at 07:33 pm
Bob, sarcasm isn't funny. I'm not the one that had any fireworks anyway and selling lemonade on a corner is also illegal but there are things that can slide and personal fireworks aren't a foreseeable crime
Brandon Scullion July 5, 2012 at 07:36 pm
The funny thing about renters is that they essentially pay the taxes on the house of which someone else owns.
That is pretty much how it works for me. I have a two family. I have tenants. Their rent covers the cost of the mortgage. How is that so different?
leanne July 5, 2012 at 08:38 pm
I thought it was my God given right to speak on whatever I want to. I rent and own my own company. I pay my city taxes every year. So I will complain (that's how its spelled Bob) about anything I want. Freedom of speech...look into it!!
Dan Alaimo July 6, 2012 at 12:14 am
Question: Earlier Sarah Lynn said that one of the fireworks company's employees caught on fire at the beginning of the show. Has anyone been able to confirm this? Sounds like a pretty significant sidebar to this story, and one that I can imagine them wanting to keep quiet.
Carmen Bowen July 6, 2012 at 12:51 am
A lot of ranting going on here, get over it and look forward to next years, because there going to be great!! Good job to the LKWD police department for getting every one moving smoothly!
Helen Lovejoy July 6, 2012 at 01:26 am
Won't somebody think of the children? WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?!?!?!
Helen Lovejoy July 6, 2012 at 01:27 am
No fireworks? No P.A. system to inform the citizens of Lakewood? High humidity? The terrorists have won.
Jenny July 6, 2012 at 02:26 am
I highly doubt it. It smacks of "sensationalistic rumor mill" to me. I was right up by the fence post-10:00 and didn't see anything other than crew members going around with flashlights (as would be normal).
Charlene Hall July 6, 2012 at 04:15 am
I have to wonder what exactly my extremely high taxes are paying for, I'm sure we funded the fireworks. We have cameras at red lights now, new street signs on Detroit, but we can't test the electronics before the show? I can't understand why they are not going to be rescheduled? Where is the money they are being refunded going to go to? Possibly lowering my huge water bill?
Colleen Rouse July 6, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Thanks also to the Lakewood police for cracking down on illegal fireworks. I'm sure the 2 families whose duplex burned to the ground wish the Cleveland police had been around to stop their neighbors from setting off fireworks: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/07/fireworks_may_have_caused_that.html. Personal fireworks are great if you live in a cornfield, not 10 feet from your neighbor.
Brandon Scullion July 6, 2012 at 02:01 pm
http://lakewood-oh.patch.com/articles/pyrotecnico-we-can-t-apologize-enough-for-canceled-fireworks
Dave Robar July 11, 2012 at 03:13 pm
Looking back, personally, I really enjoyed the Lakewood Project and spending time with my family. No TV's, no computers, no phones. Just hanging out, snacking and gabbing. That's better than fireworks anyway.

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