Kingston 4th of July Fireworks In Jeopardy
A decision by the NY State Department of Transportation to deny a key permit has put the Kingston 4th of July fireworks show on thin ice.
The Kingston Times reports the DOT has rejected the city's request to, as in years past, shoot fireworks off the Route 9W bridge. Mainetti, Mainetti & O'Connor, the local law firm that pays for the fireworks and works with the supplier, along with the Waterfront Business Association are now left without a place to host the show.
There are several options being discussed, but with the 4th under a month away, they must move quickly. A float in the middle of the river is a possibility as is Island Dock. But according to a representative from the fireworks company, the alternatives may not provide enough space. A large flat area with no surrounding trees is ideal, leading some to question why the permit for the bridge was denied.
The city just learned of the DOT's decision a few weeks ago via letter explaining having the fireworks on the bridge, along with traffic is dangerous. The DOT offered no explanation why it was approved in the past, but denied this year. A representative from Mainetti, Mainetti & O'Connor was confident they'd find a solution in time.