St. Paul To Skip 4th Of July Fireworks Due To Budget Concerns

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- On the list of America's past times, baseball is near the top. And not too far from that is celebrating America's birthday by watching colorful displays go "boom!"

"You're in Minnesota, you look forward to every Fourth of July, that's part of having a family and going to the fireworks," said Bloomington resident Maryls Drebenstedt.

St. Paul has teamed up with CHS Field for the past few years to host a Fourth of July fireworks display -- but that will not be happening this summer.

Mayor Melvin Carter feels the money could be better spent elsewhere, and decided not to put on a fireworks show.

"We are spending time trying to figure out how maximize the programing at our recreation centers, how to ensure that our libraries are accessible and available for every child in our community," Carter said. "The fact of the matter is that we just don't have $100,000 to spend blowing up rockets over our city."

Mayor Carter says the $100,000 price tag includes the cost of the fireworks, as well as overtime for police and city staff.

"I can see both sides of it," said Lakeville resident Michell Paider. "One-hundred-thousand dollars in one hand is really a lot of money. To the city, I don't know. Does that ruin the budget? I don't know. It's a fun, community-building thing to celebrate the Fourth of July and have the fireworks, too."

Some appreciate how Mayor Carter is prioritizing the city's budget, but others are not happy. On Facebook, Nancy commented on WCCO's post about the news by saying, "Pretty sad when the capital city does not do fireworks for Independence Day."

Molly commented, "Get a sponsor for cryin out loud! There are plenty of fortune 500 companies here!"

The good news is several towns surrounding St. Paul plan to have a fireworks show on the Fourth, including Minneapolis, Woodbury, Roseville, Maplewood, Cottage Grove, Blaine and Eagan.

CHS Field will have one on July 2 for people attending the St. Paul Saints game.

Click here for a list of places you can see fireworks across Minnesota.