Fireworks show rescheduled for Saturday, August 21

City sends kids back to school with a bang

MELISSA (August 12, 2021) The inaugural Melissa Sparks & Spangles celebration, set for last July 2, was scheduled as a fireworks only show because of the uncertainties surrounding the gathering restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, the heavy rain and lightning that characterized that morning did not allow the fireworks company to proceed with the highly-involved preparations. While the weather cleared up later in the day, there simply was not enough time to properly set up the pyrotechnic charges for the show.

That morning, City officials promised that the fireworks would be rescheduled for later in the year. In keeping with that promise, the City has designated Saturday, Aug. 21 is the new date for the fireworks show.

The rescheduling of the postponed fireworks show had to be coordinated with the fireworks company, the Melissa Fire Department, and several other City departments. Delaying the show later in the year may have presented more challenges.

“Our options would become much more limited once summer ended,” says City Manager Jason Little. “So, we decided that the fireworks would be our way of wishing a successful school year to students, teachers, and administrators for all of Melissa public, private, and home schools.”

The fireworks will begin between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., depending on the level of light still apparent, and will last almost 30 minutes. In keeping with the preparations for Sparks & Spangles, the pyrotechnic company agreed to load the fireworks charges with enough power to elevate the blossoms and blooms 200 to 700 feet in the air, far higher than normal shows. 

That means that there will be plenty of great viewing areas throughout the City.                 Public locations that will offer excellent views include City Hall Plaza, 3411 Barker Ave.; Melissa Middle School, 3150 Cardinal Dr.; and Zadow Park, 3001 McKinney St (SH 5). A DJ will be set up at City Hall playing family-friendly music that evening. 

City-owned locations, as well as those belonging to the Melissa ISD, do not allow alcohol or glass containers on their premises. Lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, and insect repellant are encouraged. 

“We’ll all be in the mood for a great show on August 21,” said Little. “It’s been very challenging for all of us over the last year-and-a-half. Adding a little brightness to our high expectations for the coming school year should get us all off to a great start.”