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Council confirms July 4 celebration: symphony and fireworks only this year; staff to publicize details
Summary
Council discussed plans to hold a one-day July 4 event in Stafford featuring a symphony at 7 p.m. and fireworks at about 9:15 p.m., without a festival area. Council asked communications staff to publicize the schedule and noted security and staffing concerns for the holiday weekend.
The council reviewed plans for the 2025 Fourth of July celebration and confirmed a one-day format: a symphony performance beginning at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at about 9:15 p.m. The Stafford Center Committee had recommended holding only the concert and fireworks rather than a multi-day festival because attendance on a long holiday weekend can be unpredictable.
Council members urged communications staff to publicize the planned schedule to reduce uncertainty in the community. “I think this is something that the community should be aware of because they’re gonna be asking what are y’all doing for Fourth of July,” one councilmember said.
Council and staff discussed operational challenges: staffing for public safety during a holiday weekend will be more difficult and more expensive because officers are in demand, and the police chief reported the department will plan increased patrols and a contingent of roughly 14 officers to work fireworks enforcement and illegal-discharge enforcement. Council members noted the city will need to plan now for next year’s larger 250th anniversary celebrations and consider earlier contracts and deposits for performers, fireworks and security.
No formal action was required at the meeting; council directed the Stafford Center Committee and communications staff to finalize schedules, advertising and public notices.
