{"id":36981,"date":"2025-07-04T03:07:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-04T03:07:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/36981\/"},"modified":"2025-07-04T03:07:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T03:07:10","slug":"lake-murray-fireworks-canceled-for-2025-future-uncertain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/36981\/","title":{"rendered":"Lake Murray fireworks canceled for 2025, future uncertain"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Lake Murray Fireworks and Events Committee hosted the once annual celebration at the community park, with live music, food vendors and more. (File photo by Staff\/Times of San Diego)<\/p>\n

The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival<\/a> has been canceled due to rising permit costs and the city\u2019s new restrictions on fireworks.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hosted by the Lake Murray Fireworks and Events Committee at the community park, the 4th of July celebration featured a full day of live music, food vendors and the signature fireworks.<\/p>\n

The display, launched over Lake Murray<\/a>, was visible throughout the park and could be seen as far away as La Mesa and Del Cerro.<\/p>\n

However, this year\u2019s festival faced a number of challenges that ultimately led to its cancellation\u00a0\u2013 coinciding with the retirement of long-time executive staff and volunteers from the nonprofit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had hoped that we would be able to continue on, but we just didn\u2019t get the help that we needed,\u201d committee Treasurer Bryan Pridmore said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the committee was planning the festival in 2024, Pridmore said city officials warned them it would be \u201cthe last time\u201d that fireworks would be allowed in the park due to new environmental restrictions.<\/p>\n

He added that although the team remained optimistic about reaching an agreement with the city, the festival ultimately lost its fireworks permit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Without the fireworks, Pridmore said there was no reason to carry on with the music festival, as it was largely held as a means to secure funding for the firework show.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The event also faced significant funding challenges, as Pridmore said the nonprofit did not raise enough money to cover the costs of this year\u2019s festival.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t even raise enough money for last year\u2019s show,\u201d Pridmore said. \u201cWe had to go into\u00a0 savings to pay for it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Permit costs are a large part of the price tag, as Pridmore said expenses have increased to about 10 times the amount the nonprofit paid back in 2015.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

He added that ever since the committee announced the event\u2019s cancellation, residents have voiced their frustration, seeing the event as an important way to bring the community together.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d come to celebrate our country, and then meet someone who turns out to be your neighbor or someone next door, and you\u2019d build community that way,\u201d Pridmore said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWithout this event, it\u2019ll be harder to do that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The committee has begun to raise funds for a potential return in 2026, hoping to secure the necessary permits from the city and meet its funding targets.<\/p>\n

However, Pridmore said there are still several obstacles to overcome before the event can happen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we still can\u2019t get through the red tape of the city and the permitting cost process, we still may not be able to hold the event,\u201d Pridmore said. \u201cRight now, it\u2019s unknown.\u201d<\/p>\n

If the event returns, fireworks are likely to be scrapped altogether.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Instead, organizers are considering a drone show, which Pridmore noted could make the event even more costly.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said that those who want to see the event return can support it by making online donations and joining the team of volunteers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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