Fireworks 2023

[Garcia]

Just wondering if anyone has any updates for fireworks tonight - any cancellations or are things gong off as planned? I am most interested in Center Harbor as that is where I plan to boat to - but may go elsewhere if they postpone.

[tis]

Wolfeboro is postponed until Fri.

[Smith Point]

Last night there was a display of fireworks Overby the west alton Marina @ the sanbar that would rival Wolfeboros show!

[Winilyme]

Just returned from the fireworks display in Meredith. Definitely a bummer and, sadly, the second year in a row that the display has felt like a shell (no pun intended) of prior years. I wonder if this is the unfortunate result of the post-Covid business environment where there are fewer businesses willing to contribute to a quality show. I certainly understand that they have far more important issues to be concerned about. If this is the case, perhaps more towns should combine resources and find an ideal location to put on a quality show for a larger crowd. Four or five years ago there was a competition between four or five towns - Laconia, Meredith, Gilford, Center Harbor and Moultonborough maybe; can't recall for sure. Held at the Weirs, each town put on a display for about 20 minutes or so with each obviously emphasizing their grand finale. It was quite a treat...about 90 minutes of continuous quality shows on one night. Do others remember that?

Additionally, we learned when we got home tonight that this is the first year (at least in a while) Meredith's fireworks would be fired from land versus barge. My group and hundreds of other individuals were unaware of this as we staked out our spaces in Scenic Park between Lago and Pleasant Street with a perfect view out into the bay where the barge would supposedly be firing the works. To the left, over the peninsula where the Meredith Yacht Club is located, we could see what appeared to all to be a great residential-type display of fireworks, unaware that it was the new firing location and apparently the actual display we were there to see. Many, perhaps most of the folks in the sections around where we were sitting sat through those fireworks completely unaware it was the actual show. A bit of communication to explain the change, perhaps a few signs along that viewing location, would have been appreciated. Folks were confused thinking that the 'real' show from the barge was cancelled for some reason - still not understanding that the real show was under way on the far side of the bay.

In hindsight, the new location caters more to boats on the water versus pedestrians on land. But besides that, it's simply devolved into a sub-par display...I assume due to budget constraints. We'll stay home next year.

Incidentally...we thought the Weirs display on Monday night was great and, from what we could see tonight, far better than Meredith's. Used to be the other way around but the Weirs has definitely picked it up over the last several years. Though it appears they've reduced these displays to every other week from once per week. Maybe Meredith should have their displays every other year to ensure better shows and definitely return the firing location back to the barge. Does anyone know why that changed?

[4 for Boating]

So here's my understanding of what happen - I could be wrong but here goes:

The Town had some sort of issue with the professional vendor that typically does these shows and found itself with no show for the 4th. The resident across the bay (famous I think) does a big display each year and offered to up the quantity to have something to see/watch... Guess is Class C (Common) versus Class B (Professional) in terms of break sizes and all that...

I think the rub may be the Town promoting this very, very good Class C show as the Class B show it normally secures?

Again - I could be wrong on all this and would appreciate anyone knowing more to jump in and/or correct as they see fit.

[Mr. V]

Last night we stayed in and watched the best fireworks display I've ever seen.

It was the Macy's fireworks in NYC.

Brilliant display, music perfect and fimed to the second.

Viewed on my home theater it felt like we were there.

Highly recommended.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Winilyme

Just returned from the fireworks display in Meredith. Definitely a bummer and, sadly, the second year in a row that the display has felt like a shell (no pun intended) of prior years. I wonder if this is the unfortunate result of the post-Covid business environment where there are fewer businesses willing to contribute to a quality show. I certainly understand that they have far more important issues to be concerned about. If this is the case, perhaps more towns should combine resources and find an ideal location to put on a quality show for a larger crowd. Four or five years ago there was a competition between four or five towns - Laconia, Meredith, Gilford, Center Harbor and Moultonborough maybe; can't recall for sure. Held at the Weirs, each town put on a display for about 20 minutes or so with each obviously emphasizing their grand finale. It was quite a treat...about 90 minutes of continuous quality shows on one night. Do others remember that?

Additionally, we learned when we got home tonight that this is the first year (at least in a while) Meredith's fireworks would be fired from land versus barge. My group and hundreds of other individuals were unaware of this as we staked out our spaces in Scenic Park between Lago and Pleasant Street with a perfect view out into the bay where the barge would supposedly be firing the works. To the left, over the peninsula where the Meredith Yacht Club is located, we could see what appeared to all to be a great residential-type display of fireworks, unaware that it was the new firing location and apparently the actual display we were there to see. Many, perhaps most of the folks in the sections around where we were sitting sat through those fireworks completely unaware it was the actual show. A bit of communication to explain the change, perhaps a few signs along that viewing location, would have been appreciated. Folks were confused thinking that the 'real' show from the barge was cancelled for some reason - still not understanding that the real show was under way on the far side of the bay.

In hindsight, the new location caters more to boats on the water versus pedestrians on land. But besides that, it's simply devolved into a sub-par display...I assume due to budget constraints. We'll stay home next year.

Incidentally...we thought the Weirs display on Monday night was great and, from what we could see tonight, far better than Meredith's. Used to be the other way around but the Weirs has definitely picked it up over the last several years. Though it appears they've reduced these displays to every other week from once per week. Maybe Meredith should have their displays every other year to ensure better shows and definitely return the firing location back to the barge. Does anyone know why that changed?

I think the fireworks at the Weirs the other night sucked too. First half of the show was like any other display we saw from houses on the way over there by boat. They were low and very little noise. The ending was decent with a lot of whistling bursts but the entire show lasted 12 minutes. You’d think with all the inconveniences we put up with during bike week and all the supposed “revenue” that it brings in, that Laconia could put on a decent show. I’m sending them a bill for wasting my boat gas

[John Mercier]

The City of Laconia seldom makes any money during Bike Week. Red ink is the usual outcome.

I see the same misconception about Pumpkin Fest. The Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce promotes controls and pays for that event.


Individual business and groups tend to be the main funding sources for these events.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The City of Laconia seldom makes any money during Bike Week. Red ink is the usual outcome.

I see the same misconception about Pumpkin Fest. The Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce promotes controls and pays for that event.


Individual business and groups tend to be the main funding sources for these events.

No,no, no. Complain about anything about bike week and like a ventriloquist on a dummy’s knee, “but look how much revenue it brings in “

[John Mercier]

Not for the City.

The politicians may feel political pressure... but the numbers have never really added up.


Fireworks became less about the 4th and more about the summer. The Weirs used to hold them every weekend. Now I think they do them every two weeks.