Editorial: Laser show angers some, but not a dud

Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is wise to take public�s suggestions for next year�s Fourth of July celebration plans

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Some Morro Bay businesses have reported that sales were substantially down on the Fourth of July. They blame the drop on the much-maligned laser light show that replaced traditional fireworks this year.

Not only was business off, but informal reviews of the laser show were lackluster. Video shot the night of the event showed some people leaving before the laser display was over. There also were complaints that the show couldn�t be viewed from as many locations as fireworks.

Yet the holiday weekend could hardly be called a dud. Business was brisk on Friday and Sunday at a number of locations in Morro Bay.

Merchants near Tidelands Park, where the laser show was held, reported that sales held up on the Fourth as well.

Still, it appears that many revelers believed a traditional fireworks display was the best way to end a great day. We can�t say that we blame them.

A laser show could eventually build a loyal following, but in the meantime, crowds will continue to gather for fireworks displays at communities like Paso Robles and Pismo Beach, putting Morro Bay businesses at a disadvantage.

Looking ahead to next year, the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce is listening to public comment � it had a standing-room-only crowd at a Thursday forum � and is receptive to making next year�s celebration more of a community-planned event. That�s good leadership.

We also salute the Chamber of Commerce for having the courage to try something new and environmentally preferable this year. That said, we don�t believe that allowing a 30-minute fireworks display one night a year will undermine the city�s efforts to promote itself as an eco-tourism destination.

So here�s an idea for 2010: Generate the most bang for the buck by fusing the high-tech and traditional for the same $25,000 investment.

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