Fourth of July fireworks show returns to Paso Robles for the first time in 8 years
Fireworks are returning to Barney Schwartz Park in Paso Robles this upcoming Fourth of July, for the first time in eight years.
The Paso Robles City Council voted unanimously on April 5 to spend the $110,000 to host the free fireworks show on July 4.
“It’s time we celebrate together as Paso Roblans and give local families and those that will join us an incredible fireworks show again,” said Travel Paso Chair John Arnold.
In the past, upwards of 20,000 people would attend the 20-minute Fourth of July fireworks show.
Travel Paso supports reinstating the fireworks show and voted unanimously on Tuesday, March 15, to commit $50,000 to the cost of the event, according to a staff report.
Travel Paso tried to bring the show back last year but started too late, Arnold said.
“I can honestly still close my eyes and see them going off today. They’re just frankly memories that we can’t put a price tag on,” Arnold said, reminiscing of fireworks shows from his youth.
Arnold said he was bummed that North County children missed out on fireworks displays for the past 10 years.
The remaining $60,000 toward the event will come from the city’s Contingency Fund, the staff report said.
Since families tend to arrive early to set out a picnic at the park, the city plans to have music, children’s activities and a military flyover event, said city event manager Freda Berman.
The key question is parking availability near Barney Schwartz Park, Berman said.
The city plans to contract with surrounding landowners and local areas to try to accommodate more parking, she said.
Fireworks return to Paso Robles after eight years
The city hosted a free fireworks display at Barney Schwartz Park for 10 years from 2002 until 2012, according to a staff report.
The event moved to the Downtown City Park in 2014 to celebrate the City’s 125th anniversary celebration, Berman said.
The fireworks display in Paso Robles stopped after the volunteer committee that planned the event disbanded and the cost of hosting the event grew, according to the report.
For the past eight years, North County residents have had to travel to other parts of San Luis Obispo County to watch fireworks.
The Paso Robles Fire Department has experienced more calls on the Fourth of July because there hasn’t been a free fireworks show, City Councilman Steve Gregory said.
The Paso Robles Fire Department said it are in full support of the event and plans to scale up the workforce on the Fourth of July.
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 11:23 AM.
