ASHLAND — The city of Ashland has announced the Rotary’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show will move locations, shifting from Community Stadium to Freer Field.
The announcement on social media came Friday, less than a week before Ashland’s Fourth of July festivities.
“With all of the new improvements and facilities around our Community Stadium, this move was necessary to meet important safety guidelines,” the post read.
It also thanked the Ashland County Park District for accommodating the change.
Why the move?
According to Ashland City Schools Supt. Steve Paramore, the fireworks show typically takes place on the baseball field at Community Stadium.
This year, the baseball field received a renovation, Paramore said. Among the changes were a fenced backstop becoming a netted one — which caused concern that the fireworks’ shrapnel could land in the new backstop and catch fire.
Paramore said the district wasn’t opposed to still having the show on campus, and suggested several options for shifting the launch spot to a different area.
“We’re well aware of the nostalgia and tradition for people to watch the fireworks show from their backyards and patios,” Paramore said.
Paramore said he worked with the Rotary and Ashland Fire Department to figure out an alternative option. He said he also spoke with the fireworks company and Mayor Matt Miller. Those conversations happened mid-week the week before the Fourth, according to Paramore.
But, moving the launch spot in one direction meant it would be too close to the school building, Paramore said. Moving it the other way put it too close to a residential area.
Ashland fire chief Rick Anderson confirmed the alternative suggestions meant the launch spot didn’t comply with the fire code.
“We respect that the men and women in the fire department are on call for that fireworks show and we don’t want to make things harder for them,” Paramore said.
A new spot
Anderson added an alternative location has always been a consideration. Freer Field, he said, serves as a controlled location that falls in line with the necessary safety parameters, Anderson said.
Miller agreed. He said pyrotechnicians in years past have told the city Freer Field would be an ideal location for the show, and could allow it to be larger.
“I absolutely realize this disrupts many people’s traditions,” Miller said, adding that was unfortunate.
But, he added, in the long run, he thinks Freer Field serves as the best location for the show.
He said that spot could allow for future fireworks shows to include food trailers, live music and more.
Freer Field fireworks show details
The city’s Facebook post invited Ashland residents to “grab a blanket or lawn chair” and meet at Freer Field at 9:30 p.m.
(Below is a map that indicates where there will be free parking, and where the fireworks viewing area will be located at Freer Field.)
Anderson said a construction fence will sit around the launch zone to keep people out of it. Miller said that restricted area will be clearly marked.
Anderson said aside from the location shift, all other details about the fireworks show remain the same.
Miller said much of the planning in terms of parking and viewing the show will mirror Balloonfest, which took place in Ashland last week.
There will be free public parking located off Center Street, he said. Miller added the paved parking lot by the Freer Field Visitor Center is designated for handicapped parking.
Port-a-Potties will sit around the field for public use, Miller said. City employees will direct traffic, he said, and police officers will provide traffic control post-fireworks show.
