Buffalo Grove apologizes for fireworks delay
Buffalo Grove officials apologized for a nearly one-hour delay in Saturday's July 4 fireworks show and also unveiled a plan at Monday's village board meeting for notifying people if there are problems at future displays.
The show, part of a celebration that included the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band concert, was scheduled for 9:20 p.m. but didn't start until around 10:10 p.m.
Deputy Village Manager Ghida Neukirch reported the delay was caused in part by rainy weather and last-minute technical difficulties experienced by Melrose Pyrotechnics, which has provided the fireworks in Buffalo Grove for more than 10 years and also has contracts nationally and with Chicago.
She said Melrose's crew usually arrives the day of the show at 9 a.m., setting up at the Buffalo Grove Golf Course. By contrast, Melrose takes two days to set up in Wheeling, Neukirch said. But Buffalo Grove has preferred a day-of setup so less time is lost to using the golf driving range.
Melrose Event Producer Wynn Cramer said the setup process is much slower when it's raining.
In the future, Neukirch said, if the forecast calls for rain, "we will consider allowing them to set up a day early just to ensure that the fireworks go off in a timely manner."
Village Manager William Brimm and police and fire officials also have discussed a communications plan to use in the event of delays at future events, she said.
Local radio frequency 88.1-FM can be used to relay information to people in nearby fireworks viewing areas like Willow Stream Park. The frequency will be promoted through tools like the village newsletter, cable access channel and signs around town.
In addition, the village plans to dispatch village personnel and volunteers to the Buffalo Grove Golf Club, the Rotary Village Green and Willow Stream Park to inform the public. She said the village can use the public address system at the Rotary Village Green, golf carts at the golf course and an ambulance in the vicinity of the Willow Stream.
Trustee Beverly Sussman suggested that any delay also be announced on the village Web site.
Cramer said that, because of the delay, Melrose will "punch up" the fireworks show at this year's Buffalo Grove Days. That takes place Sept. 4 to 7, with fireworks on Sept. 6.