Buffalo, NY (WBEN) After the last two summers, fireworks shows are back in full blast this 4th of July weekend. Hundreds of shows in 2020 and 2021 had to be canceled because of the COVID pandemic.
It's an especially exciting time for Skylighters, which puts on numerous fireworks shows across the Western New York region.
"It feels great to be back in full swing producing great firework shows across Western New York and beyond this year," says Matt Shaw of Skylighters. "We have great displays throughout the area, a lot of complex displays," and Shaw says there will be new product displayed this year. Shaw says the pandemic caused hundreds of shows to be canceled.
Shaw says he's been able to keep most of his staff intact. "We're always training, it takes many years of training guys to be competent out there," says Shaw. He says when there was no work, his teams were still at work.
One Skylighters show is the Bisons' annual 4th of July fireworks show, which follows the game on Monday. Brad Bisbing with the Bisons says he's excited about the return. "it feels great to finally be able to be back and to bring back events like this," says Bisbing. He says the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will also be back for the postgame concert accompanying the fireworks.
Bisbing says preparations continue. "The BPO and maestro Paul Farrington have been great to work with as always putting together a great postgame concert," says Bisbing. He says the BPO will mix in some pop culture favorites with the patriotic classics and the military tributes. "The Armed Forces salute where Paul asks retired and serving members of our armed forces to stand to be recognized and it's such a powerful moment at the ballpark," says Bisbing. He says you can't have the 4th of July without fireworks, and this plus baseball is a great tradition.
Orchard Park is seeing a return of 4th of July fireworks to the middle school, following the parade, which had also been canceled the last two years. "We went for quite a while with out being able to have the show and it's an opportunity for our community to get together," says Supervisor Gene Majchrzak.
He notes fireworks were done at Highmark Stadium and at a country club last year. "But it's nothing like having a right in the in the middle of town," notes Majchrzak.
The City of Tonawanda had a fireworks display down the river last year. "We joined up with our brothers and sisters from North Tonawanda, and we're putting them off right on the Renaissance bridge right over the canal. It's gonna be a beautiful show," says an excited Mayor John White.
White believes with a summer without restrictions, "if you build it, they will come." White says anything you do this summer is going to have a success ratio in regards to numbers people showing up.
White also sees this as an opportunity for businesses to promote themselves. "Our businesses are going to bring tables out front they're going to sell things up front," says White. He says he wants to see chairs and blankets on July 4th.
