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Summerfest organizers say fireworks booth covers over 10% of fireworks budget; council hears fundraising breakdown
Summary
Council heard figures showing the Summerfest fireworks booth contributed roughly 23.18% (2023), 11.99% (2024) and 12.46% (2025) of the festival's profits that directly pay for the public fireworks display; councilors said the booth is an important fundraising source.
Council President Frank Sylvia read figures into the record showing the fireworks booth's share of the festival's profit that directly pays for the fireworks display: 23.18% in 2023, 11.99% in 2024 and 12.46% in 2025. Sylvia said the festival’s overall budget is near $80,000–$100,000 annually and that the fireworks booth remains one of the top fundraising sources.
Summerfest representatives told council they are willing to partner with the city and the fire department on safety education, including distributing safety flyers at the fireworks sales booth. Councilors and festival board members emphasized the booth’s role supporting the public display and urged a collaborative public-safety approach rather than immediate restrictions on sales.
