Batavia's fireworks set to launch Saturday after July Fourth cancellation

Fireworks are scheduled to go off this weekend in Batavia after the city's Fourth of July display was canceled abruptly due to a computer mishap.

The pyrotechnics will be launched at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, from Engstrom Family Park, 326 Millview Drive.

The July 4 show was canceled when the rockets failed to launch due to a computer malfunction that went undetected until the show was going to begin.

Batavia Fireworks Committee member Susan Stark said the committee is excited to bring the show back to Batavia.

Stark said the fireworks show will be identical to the one that would have been held on Independence Day. The fireworks will run rain or shine.

“We're very excited and hoping for a perfect evening of great weather,” Stark said. “We're really hoping it will draw from all over.”

There will be glow-in-the-dark novelties for sale, and music will be played until the show starts. Twelve food trucks, which is more than the July event was to have, will be serving from 5 to 9 p.m.

The same company that experienced technical difficulties at the July 4 show, Pyrotecnico, will be providing the pyrotechnics show this weekend.

Pyrotecnico Executive Vice President Chris Liberatore issued an apology to the Batavia community after the July 4 failure to launch. Liberatore said in the letter that it was the company's intention to make things right at a future date and offered to help support the cost of services required to reschedule the event.

Free parking will be available on the streets near Engstrom Family Park, and disabled parking will be available at Batavia Covenant Church.

Batavia's fireworks events are run by the fireworks committee and paid for by donations. The city of Batavia donates police and fire services.