Laguna Hills to use new fireworks vendor and drop carnival rides for 2025 Fourth of July celebration

City staff presented the 2025 Fourth of July pre-event report at the Parks and Recreation Commission special meeting on April 29, saying the program will begin with family activities at 4 p.m., live music from Anthem Road from 6 p.m. to about 8:50 p.m., a mayoral welcome and a fireworks display that will be produced by a new vendor.

"This was taken to city council at the last meeting at the April 22 meeting. They approved a new firework display agreement," staff said, adding that the prior vendor was unable to provide services this year and staff secured a highly recommended replacement.

Staff also said the commission would not offer carnival rides in 2025 as a cost-saving step. "We're averaging about $5,000 of ticket sales. The quotes for the rides that we got for 2 rides was $20,000," Speaker 5 said, explaining the financial rationale for replacing rides with inflatables, obstacle courses and passive picnic-style games.

Commissioners asked whether food trucks pay the city or share revenues. Staff said food trucks historically have not paid the city and the city generally does not require post-event sales disclosures; the idea of revenue-sharing or vendor percentages was discussed as a potential way to offset increasing fireworks costs.

What happens next: The commission voted to receive and file the pre-event report and asked staff to explore vendor compensation and sponsorship options and to circulate contact information for event operations and volunteer sign-ups.

Quotes: "They approved a new firework display agreement. Our old vendor was unable to provide services this year," (Speaker 5). "We're averaging about $5,000 of ticket sales. The quotes for the rides that we got for 2 rides was $20,000," (Speaker 5).

The commission recorded the motion to receive and file the report as approved unanimously.