City OKs fireworks contract

“I expect to have another great year,” Recreation Director Rich Parker said.

The city halted the annual event in 2020 due to the pandemic, but brought it back last summer.

“It’s one of the many big events that are part of every summer season,” Mr. Parker said. Later in the month is Home Days, July 29-31.

The show will be put on by American Fireworks out of Hudson, which has presented it many times in the past, Mr. Parker said.

The city budgets $26,000 for the event, which includes food trucks, performances by the Solon Community Band, and many families bringing a picnic.

The fireworks show, which will begin at dusk, or around 9:45 p.m., is presented at the Community Park on SOM Center Road,

Mr. Parker said that last year, after bringing it back, the attendance was amazing.

Past shows have drawn upwards of 20,000 people to the city.

“I was really surprised by how well attended it was,” Mr. Parker said. “We all knew people were ready then to get out.

“I think we still suffer from effects of the pandemic and people look forward to get out when they can.”

The city made a decision not to host the show on the actual July 4 holiday so as to allow city staff to be able to celebrate with their families, Mr. Parker said.

A rain date is slated for the Sunday of Home Days, which is July 31.

Mr. Parker said the city expects another great show from American Fireworks, which should last anywhere from 30-35 minutes.

Fireworks are shot off behind one of the baseball fields at the park and near the tennis courts.

Mr. Parker noted that many surrounding communities are not offering a fireworks display.

“This is a big event that the community looks forward to,” Mr. Parker said

Parking is available in all public parking lots in the area of the Community Park, Solon Community Center and the Solon city schools.

Traffic restrictions will be in place to ensure movement of traffic and the traffic patterns of the past years will remain the same.