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Jefferson County Parks asks Harpers Ferry to reserve funds for June fireworks at St. Michael’s Park
Summary
Jefferson County Parks and Recreation requested town support for its June 28 fireworks at St. Michael’s Park, estimating a total event cost of about $43,490 and seeking reimbursement after the July 1 fiscal-year turnover; the county commission has pledged $10,000 and the parks commission plans $10,500 toward the event.
Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Myers asked the Harpers Ferry Town Council on Feb. 20 for provisional support for the county’s annual fireworks, scheduled for June 28, 2025, at St. Michael’s Park. The event is estimated to cost about $43,490 in total, with fireworks themselves quoted at $32,500, Myers said. The Jefferson County Commission has committed $10,000 and the Parks and Recreation Commission anticipates contributing about $10,500.
Myers described the event as a free, county-hosted celebration that draws attendees from multiple municipalities and nearby counties. She said the department has tracked visitor patterns and found significant local economic activity tied to the event (restaurant and retail visits) and that last year, despite a storm-cancelled first night, roughly 9,000 people attended across two nights.
Myers outlined event costs that include parking, trash removal, porta-johns, site preparation, security and permits (including a mass-gathering permit to be obtained from the health department), staffing and advertising. She presented a higher-tier option — an enhanced show with simultaneous side displays — that would increase the fireworks budget if additional sponsorships are secured.
Process and timing were a major focus. Budget staff reminded Myers that town reimbursements for events that fall after the fiscal-year cutover are handled on a reimbursement basis and that the town’s fiscal year turns July 1. Myers said Jefferson County Parks would pay vendors up front and seek reimbursement; budget staff advised the department to return to Budget & Finance in May with refined estimates and final vendor information so the council could consider a formal appropriation for the July event.
Council members asked about municipal commitments and data sources. Myers said several municipalities and private sponsors are being asked to contribute; the Harpers Ferry share on the provided allocation table appeared to be about 1% of total cost. The audience-heat-map Myers cited was compiled from cellphone-location data provided by a third-party service, she said.
The council did not make any decision at the meeting; members and staff said they would review the refined May estimate and consider a final allocation during the council deliberation meeting scheduled for late April/early May.
