Wasilla reports strong turnout at rescheduled fireworks show; staff outline safety upgrades and plan recognition for maintenance crew

Wasilla's recreation staff told the commission that the city's rescheduled New Year's fireworks show drew a strong crowd and that staff are pursuing safety upgrades and formal recognition for maintenance crews.

Scott Bell, recreational services director, said organizers canceled the Dec. 31 fireworks show because of a wind advisory and later reannounced an alternate date. He described enhancements including a DJ and a light show and said turnout was high: "we probably had we've heard anywhere from 7 to 800 plus people" in the park. Bell said the Menards Sports Center event earlier (Halloween Spooktacular) also had excellent turnout but exposed the need to upgrade older smoke detectors and fire-panel equipment after a fog machine set off the alarm.

Bell described event security arrangements: a contracted security company provided four officers from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to monitor the fallout zone and crowd perimeters. He said Council member Crafton asked to increase the fireworks budget, and that private vendors and donors were key to the production: "Gorilla Fireworks... donate $10,000 worth of fireworks for that show," and larger shells up to the permitted three-inch size were provided by Lantus Fireworks.

Commissioners praised parks maintenance staff for repairing weather damage from windstorms and proposed presenting a certificate of appreciation at a council meeting or in the commission's next public session to acknowledge Jesse and the maintenance crew.