Fireworks Canceled Electrical Failure

[Jim O'Bryan]

Because of a failure in the circuit boards, the Lakewood Firework show stopped minutes into it. While the fireworks from Cleveland, Westlake, and Rocky River, and Bay Village could be
heard going off, Lakewood Park sat dark and silent until 10:34 when the decision to call them
off was made, and the police started to notify the crowd.

I had seen and talked to people sitting all over the city in the "favorite spots" from Highland Ave.
to Webb Road Park. This disappointed many a citizen and visitor alike.

It was the largest crowd I had ever seen assembled for this event in over at least a
decade. People parking as far south as Franklin, and walking 15 blocks to the show,
always one of the best in the area.

Early conversation is for the show to be tried again tomorrow.


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[Chris Cape]

Great to find out at 11 PM. I was at the park until 10:30. No one bothered to go around to inform people waiting to watch the fireworks. Nothing on onelakewood.com, and no tweets either. One girl sitting behind me mentioned that she used to work at the pool and that the pool has a rather large PA system that could have been used. She also said a number of staff watch the fireworks from inside the pool area, so it wouldn't have been hard to do.

Also, don't most city police cars have some kind of PA system? This could have been used.

But if you posted at 9:37, how come they couldn't announce to this waiting around?

[Myra Beckrest]

My husband and I also tried to check onelakewood.com and twitter... nothing.

This was my last Lakewood fireworks. I'm moving to Berea as soon as the closing, and while my husband offered to take me to Coe Lake, I wanted to stay one last time in Lakewood.

EPIC Failure. That's all I have to say.

[Jim O'Bryan]

But if you posted at 9:37, how come they couldn't announce to this waiting around?

Chris

That has to be a time setting thing. I got the news at 10:34pm. As late as 10:20pm I was
talking with one of the workmen down at the site I know, and he said they were having
problems with a cable but had hoped to fix it. I got to calls that they were probably canceling
and then finally got a call at 10:34pm I just went back and checked.

Some said that at least 35% of the crowd had left by 10 or so, after the stoppage. So I do
not find it unusual that the police went about clearing the park in a gentler way to keep
order in the crowd. Another person mentioned they saw a couple hot tempered people
getting upset, and arguing with officials.

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[Danielle Masters]

It was sad that they didn't happen but it was still a beautiful day in Lakewood and I am grateful for the time spent with family and friends. Seriously these things happen and life goes on.

[Chris Cape]

Thanks, Jim. I reread your initial posting and it showed 10:37.

I agree with your earlier comment, Saturday or Sunday would be better than tomorrow. At least for those of us that live on Clifton...

[Jim O'Bryan]

It was sad that they didn't happen but it was still a beautiful day in Lakewood and I am grateful for the time spent with family and friends. Seriously these things happen and life goes on.

Danielle

It might happen tomorrow, as that was the rain date. However as it was the equipment
of the hired crew, I would hope they would understand what this event means to Lakewoodites
and would be more than willing, to change it to a weekend or even later in the year where
we can at least try to rebuild some of the excitement around every boy's dream event
fire and fireworks going boom.

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[Jim O'Bryan]

It was sad that they didn't happen but it was still a beautiful day in Lakewood and I am grateful for the time spent with family and friends. Seriously these things happen and life goes on.

Danielle

It might happen tomorrow, as that was the rain date. However as it was the equipment
of the hired crew, I would hope they would understand what this event means to Lakewoodites
and would be more than willing, to change it to a weekend or even later in the year where
we can at least try to rebuild some of the excitement around every boy's dream event
fire and fireworks going boom.

How about not paying them, and we convince University of Akron to give the $30,000 to
the LOBC for hoops around the city. Call it a wash. Let them put their signage on the courts.

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[Myra Beckrest]

Jim,

I think instead of doing them tomorrow or even this weekend they should move them to August 4th. What a great way to finish off the Arts festival!

[Myra Beckrest]

FIREWORKS WILL NOT BE RESCHEDULED:

Just released on Fox8.com:
http://fox8.com/2012/07/04/lakewood-fir ... lfunction/

LAKEWOOD, Ohio — Thousands gathered at Lakewood Park Wednesday night in anticipation of the spectacular fireworks show over Lake Erie … only it never happened.
An “electrical malfunction” with a computer system forced the city to cancel the event, leaving thousands of attendees disappointed, Lakewood Police tells Fox 8 News.

What’s worse, is that the show will not be rescheduled.

Mayor Mike Summers told the Lakewood Patch, “We’re sorry. I am personally embarrassed. I feel bad for the citizens of Lakewood.”

If you were one of the people let down by the fireworks cancellation, there are options for another viewing: several cities in northern Ohio are hosting fireworks displays after the 4th.

[Jim O'Bryan]

What’s worse, is that the show will not be rescheduled.

Myra

That is indeed a sad state of affairs.

My understanding from people there was the failure was the fault of the people putting on
the show. I am not sure why they would sign a contract for "Thursday" as the rain date, but
it should take very little imagination to turn this minus into a plus.

Bring back Lakewood Day at the end of August, and fire them off then.
.

[Jim O'Bryan]

What’s worse, is that the show will not be rescheduled.

Myra

That is indeed a sad state of affairs.

My understanding from people there was the failure was the fault of the people putting on
the show. I am not sure why they would sign a contract for "Thursday" as the rain date, but
it should take very little imagination to turn this minus into a plus.

Bring back Lakewood Day at the end of August, and fire them off then.

.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I spent a couple hours before the firewirks driving around the city checking out the parties,
and the "prime viewing areas. It never occured to me how many different places you get a
clear shot of the sky above Lakewood Park,


Here a 4th of July Party moved the front yard and was waiting for the show at 9:30pm.


Lakewood Police at 9:45pm. The calm before the storm. Soon some people would get
angry and start to file out, then at 10:34pm when the police started to tell the crowd
it got real busy with thousands of disappointed residents and visitors to Lakewood.

However some lucky residents along Riverside Dr. got to sit on their porches and watch
the fireworks go off without a hitch in Rocky River, Bay Village, and Fairview on the other
side of the Emerald Canyon.


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[Ryan Salo]

I agree that tonight was still a great night. The Lakewood project was wonderful and the 12 fireworks were beautiful. This year was about quality not quantity.

My only complaint is that someone made an announcement over a pa at about 10:05 saying that they were working on the problem and expected to resume the show. Then 30 minutes later the lights just turned on. No announcement no apology no explanation, nothing. That is where the city failed. Everyone I saw leaving was pretty upset.

My question is where does the money go? The contracted company better give it back.

[Myra Beckrest]

I find it funny that the journalist updated her original story to remove the "What's worse" from the statement.

What I copy and pasted was what was originally posted on their website... haha... someone didn't like that comment evidently.