City Explains Lack of Fireworks Finale

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Hermiston fireworks
A computer glitch was the cause behind the absence of a finale at this year's fireworks show in Hermiston.

When the last of the Fourth of July fireworks faded from the night sky Thursday in Hermiston, there were more than a few people who didn’t realize the show had ended.

A few seconds passed and then a few more as spectators anticipated one final spectacular ending. Slowly it began to dawn on the crowd that the show was over without a finale or the customary fireball blast. At Monday night’s Hermiston City Council meeting, an explanation was provided for the anti-climactic end.

“There was a little bit of a snafu,” said Hermiston City Manager Ed Brookshier. “There was no finale.”

Larry Fetter, Hermiston’s Parks and Recreation director, explained to the council that the fireworks were set off using a computerized system and a glitch caused the show to end without the expected finale. In the past, the fireworks were set off manually, he said. Along with the lack of a finale, there were several extended gaps between blasts of fireworks.

“There were a few pauses where the sky was black,” Fetter said.

Fetter said there are only a handful of registered pyrotechnics companies the city can use for its fireworks show, but he told the council that he expects next year to be a return to form.

“We want to make sure we’re moving toward the quality we’re used to,” he said.