Fireworks back in Wheeling

For the first time in three years, Wheeling will have fireworks on the Fourth of July.

The village board unanimously voted Monday to waive the competitive bid process and award a contract to Melrose Pyrotechnics Inc, of Kingsbury, Ind. Wheeling will pay the company $30,000 for a 20-minute show, according to village documents.

“They’re an outstanding company,” said Village President Judy Abruscato after the meeting. “In something like 20 years, they’ve never let us down.”

In years past, Wheeling has spent up to $175,000 on Fourth of July festivities. Then, in 2009, the village spent only $35,000 on a smaller fireworks display because of budget constraints. There was also a “hometown parade” — but it did not include a single marching band and did not go over well with many residents.

The next year, village officials scrapped everything, cutting both the parade and fireworks. Also in 2010, the village spent $441,400 on buyouts for 15 longtime Wheeling employees.

And while the village has enough money for fireworks this year, there isn’t enough for a parade — experienced marching bands can cost up to $8,000 a piece.

“We’re going to focus on the fireworks this year,” Village Manager Jon Sfondilis said. “And we feel this company can give us the best bang for our buck, so to speak.”

Wheeling’s fireworks show will start about 9:15 p.m. July 4, near Wheeling’s village hall.