Wauwatosa's annual fireworks display will be in August, not on July 4, commission decides

Wauwatosa's annual all-day-long Fourth of July festivities won't end with fireworks this year.

The typical fireworks show will take place on Aug. 7 during a community event — not on July 4 — following a commission's decision based on recommendations from the police and fire departments.

Here's what to know:

Fire and police staffing and security contributed to decision to move Wauwatosa Fourth of July fireworks 2024

Several factors, "including staffing and providing public safety at the all-day event" played into the decision to have no fireworks at this year's Fourth of July festivities, Wauwatosa Police Department Sgt. Abby Pavlik said in an email to the Journal Sentinel.

Representatives of the police and fire departments met on Jan. 25 the Civic Celebration Commission, a volunteer-led group of residents that plans the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and other celebrations each year.

After discussing security and staffing issues with the police department, "it was determined there cannot be fireworks on the 4th of July," according to minutes from January.

The departments presented a few options to the commission, including one that suggested "having the parade and fireworks on the same day" before deciding to move the fireworks to Aug. 7 for Tosa's Night Out, Eva Ennamorato, communications director for the City of Wauwatosa, told the Journal Sentinel.

According to meeting minutes, Ald. Melissa Dolan made a motion to have the fireworks follow a sponsored concert on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Rotary Performance Pavilion, 1190 N. 70th St., in partnership with Tosa Tonight, a free summer concert series in Wauwatosa. The motion passed. Dolan also made a motion that passed to have a rain date for the event Aug. 14, the following Wednesday.

The rescheduled fireworks will "give our first responders well-deserved balance" in a busy July of back-to-back events, including the Republican National Convention, Ennamorato said.

The convention is July 15-18 in Milwaukee.

While looking for ways to shorten the all-day event for first responders who work long hours on the holiday, "fireworks made the most sense" to move, Ennamorato said.

It's unclear if the August fireworks show is a one-time change for the Fourth of July festivities. That would be up to the Civic Celebration Commission, Ennamorato said.

Members of the Civic Celebration Commission plans to discuss parade staging options, the afternoon and evening programs for the Fourth of July, and the Aug. 7 fireworks program at their meeting Thursday. A fireworks company representative is scheduled to give a presentation.

Robert Brunow, chair of the commission, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Decision to change Wauwatosa Fourth of July fireworks first discussed in October meeting, according to minutes

Since last year's Fourth of July festivities, the commission has brought up issues and alternatives for the traditional fireworks show, meeting minutes show.

In July, the group discussed problems with sight lines at Hart Park and explored the possibilities of finding another launching sight or using a drone show as an alternative to fireworks, according to minutes from a commission meeting July 23.

Sgt. Jim Morrill of the Wauwatosa Police Department met with the commission in October and the group discussed the need for having the parade and fireworks on separate dates before tabling their conversation for January, according to meeting minutes.

Tosa's Night Out to host 2024 fireworks show Aug. 7

The rescheduled fireworks will shoot off Aug. 7 at Tosa's Night Out at Hart Park, 7300 W. Chestnut St.

Tosa's Night Out is a free event and walk organized by Wauwatosa’s Neighborhood Watch Committee and the Wauwatosa Police Department. In past years, it has featured the Tosa Tonight concert series, games, police and fire department displays, and health and wellness exhibits.

More details about the free annual event's schedule and fireworks will be shared closer to the date, according to the city's website.

"Come meet your first responders, enjoy some good food and music from the Tosa Tonight concert series, and stay for the fireworks," Pavlik of the police department said in an email.

The fireworks show was rescheduled in 2022 to the same night as Tosa Night Out due to weather conditions on July 4 that year.

Wauwatosa Fourth of July 2024 will still have parade, no fireworks

This summer's Fourth of July in Wauwatosa may not end with the fireworks show, but it will still begin with a parade.

The July 4 parade is themed "Honoring Our First Responders."

It will leave from the Hoyt Pool parking lot at 9 a.m. The route runs north on Swan Boulevard, or 92nd Street, then turns right on North Avenue and ends near 80th Street, according to the city website.

These roads will be closed for the parade:

• Swan Boulevard will be closed just south of West Meinecke Avenue and at the roundabout south of Underwood Parkway.
• Menomonee River Parkway will be closed between North Avenue and Hoyt Park Drive.
• North Avenue will be closed at North 95th Street and at Wauwatosa Avenue.

Residents express frustration on social media over change in Wauwatosa Fourth of July Fireworks

Some Wauwatosa residents expressed disappointment over the decision to have no Fourth of July fireworks after seeing the news published on the city's website.

One resident started a petition Sunday asking the Wauwatosa City Council to restore the city's fireworks to its original date.

"Let us show that we value America’s traditions and that we stand united in preserving them for future generations," wrote Matt Wicker, who started the petition.

Contact reporter Bridget Fogarty at bfogarty@gannett.com