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Malden Park Board votes to hold fireworks-only July 4 celebration amid low vendor interest and fundraising shortfall
Summary
The Malden Park Board on March 27 voted 5-0 to limit July 4 festivities to fireworks only, citing difficulty securing vendors for a holiday weekend and a shortfall in Shop with a Hero donations; board members discussed contributing up to $3,000 if needed and confirmed past fireworks costs around $10,000.
The City of Malden Park Board voted 5-0 on March 27 to limit this year’s July 4 celebration to a fireworks display rather than the usual mix of vendors and activities.
Chair Ian Casto moved for a fireworks-only event and Board Member Earnest Fobbs seconded the motion; the board recorded the motion as carried 5-0. Mayor Denton Kooyman told the board that past fireworks expenditures have been about $10,000 and that the Shop with a Hero program’s donations are running low, which prompted discussion of whether the Park Board should set aside funds to help underwrite the display.
City Administrator Ivone Smith reminded members that the board had previously authorized up to $3,000 for fireworks in a prior year but did not need to use those funds because outside donations covered the cost; members said they could allocate funds again this year if donations fall short.
The board considered logistical challenges of staging a vendor-heavy celebration on a Friday holiday weekend, when both vendors and attendees may be less available, and concluded a single fireworks event would be more feasible. No additional motions were made to allocate funds at the meeting; any appropriation would follow standard budget or supplemental-funding procedures.
The decision followed routine business earlier in the meeting, including approval of the October 15, 2024 minutes and a brief budget update from staff indicating work on the next fiscal cycle will begin in the coming weeks. The Park Board adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
