Addison cancels Fourth of July fireworks

Budget woes are turning plans for Addison's July 4 fireworks display into a dud.

The village and park district agreed to cancel the 25-year tradition that had been slated for Community Park. The two groups normally share the cost of the $25,000 event.

Officials said Thursday they realized they needed to find ways to cut costs for fiscal 2010-11, which began May 1.

"We think it's a great celebration that draws tens of thousands of people," park district Director Mark McKinnon said. "But in the pecking order of things, when you're talking about frozen salaries and people just happy to have jobs, spending money on that type of thing isn't as high on the list."

The village faced a $1.5 million shortfall for this year, which already has led to voluntary buyouts, a hiring freeze, eliminating Dial-a-Ride, Meals on Wheels and DARE, and has leaders considering tax increases.

With the village's $12,500 portion of the fireworks bill, plus thousands of dollars in overtime for police and traffic control at the event, officials said the cost was too much.

The park district, which recently enacted salary freezes and budget cuts, also bears extra costs for additional fireworks entertainment and staffing.

In an effort to salvage the 2010 event, the park district tried to secure corporate sponsorships. But officials said the business community also is tightening its belt.

McKinnon said he thinks a corporate partnership - similar to the agreement between the village of Itasca and Hamilton Partners for its Fourth of July celebration - is the only way fireworks can return to Addison in today's economy.

Officials will continue to look for sponsors, he said, and it will take several months before they reach a decision about fireworks for 2011.

"We hope this is just a blip and not something happening every year," McKinnon said. "It is never too soon to look (for sponsors), but I don't know if people are willing to commit this far out."