Othello told to hold fireworks show on Dec. 5

OTHELLO — The city of Othello is going to hold its long-delayed Fourth of July fireworks show on Dec. 5 as part of the Miracle on Main Street parade and Christmas tree lighting.

At an online meeting on Monday, members of the Othello City Council agreed to stage the fireworks show, postponed as a result of the closures prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, on the first Saturday in December after reviewing the results of a city-wide survey in which residents were nearly evenly divided between staging the event on New Year’s Eve, with 151 votes, or as part of the city’s annual Christmas Parade, with 150 votes.

“New Year’s Eve, Shawn,” said council member John Lallas to Mayor Shawn Logan.

“I’d love to see it on New Year’s Eve, but I’m not sure that’s the safest thing,” said council member Mark Snyder, echoing a sentiment held by several other council members that a proper fireworks show would inspire people to set off their own fireworks as well outside the time it is legally allowed.

Under Othello’s current city laws, residents are only allowed to set off “consumer fireworks” within the city limits from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the first three days of July, 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4, and 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.

“Based on history, you can say whatever, but people are still going to do it,” said council member Maria Quezada.

While the majority of survey takers voted for a 9 p.m. fireworks show, the council decided to hold the show in Lions Park from 6:30-7 p.m., right after the lighting of the Christmas Tree in front of city hall.

“That would be a nice special effect,” Logan said.

“It’s better for the kids,” Lallas added.

The council also unanimously approved $35,000 in grants to businesses and non-profit organizations hard hit by the pandemic and related closures, with $1,000 for Adams County Pet Rescue, $2,500 each for the Othello Beautification Committee, the Othello Fair, the Othello Senior Center and Tu Taqueria, $3,000 for Sagehill Builders, $4,000 each for Golden Fountain Chinese Restaurant and B Beauty Salon, $6,000 for the Christmas Miracle on Main Street committee, and $7,000 for Reichert’s Showhouse.

The grants are part of a $375,525 Small Business and Community Support Fund established by the city and provided from the state’s portion of the $2 trillion federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress last April.

Charles H. Featherstone can be reached at [email protected].