A 20-minute, $45,000 Fourth of July fireworks display for residents of Athens, Tennessee, was approved by a 4-0 vote, despite a pending lawsuit over the 2022 display.
Officials discovered there was no funding for the display in the city's budget less than a month ago and responded by quickly seeking a way to fund a celebratory fireworks show, according to Athens Vice Mayor Larry Eaton.
"The $45,000 will come out of the budget until we do have some donors who are going to be coming forth, and once they give us the money, it will go back into the budget," Eaton told fellow council members at a meeting Wednesday, when the 2023 display was approved.
Councilman Jordan Curtis wanted more details about plans made for the fireworks show with such short notice before he cast a vote.
Athens Finance Director Mike Keith said LaFollette, Tennessee-based Pyro Shows Inc. is the designated vendor for the show and plans from the past are being used for the 2023 show.
(READ MORE: Some cities nix July 4 fireworks for shortages, fire dangers)
"We as staff have discussed the logistics of doing the fireworks show. We have pulled plans from prior years — 2019 was the last year before COVID hit — so that is the show that is being presented as far as the type of shells," Keith told the council of the city's last fully public display.
The size of the fireworks shells to be used was decreased from 10 inches to 6 inches for 2023 to reduce the safety area so the public can attend, Keith said.
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