Fired up for Dunes fireworks

Last year was all fizzle.

First, the owners of the Dunes announced that, because of

liability costs, they would not be holding the 44th Fourth of July

fireworks show over the waterfront resort. Then, city efforts led by

City Manager Homer Bludau could not quite nail down one of three

options for keeping the bright-in-the-night, beloved tradition alive

or replacing it with a similar show elsewhere in the city.

After the fireworks-less Fourth last year, Mayor Steve Bromberg

made a vow: “We’re going to have fireworks one way or another.”

Yes, Newport Beach is. And residents -- not to mention their

Independence Day guests -- largely have Bromberg to thank for

bringing back the sparklers.

City officials announced earlier this month that they are

committed to covering the $20,000 cost of the 20- to 22-minute show,

though they likely will seek sponsors to offset the cost (and

certainly, there are plenty of people who would like their names

attached to this community event).

Equally important, the company behind the planned pyrotechnics,

Zambelli Fireworks International, has agreed to pay the premiums on

$1 million worth of liability insurance for the show. The cost of

that insurance was a major reason why the former Dunes owners decided

to quash the show last year.

Like its winter counterpart, the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat

Parade, the Dunes fireworks lets Newport-Mesa gather in common

purpose and common merriment.

While it is part of the larger, patriotic custom of celebrating

the birth of this nation, the show has grown into a special local

tradition. Many who grew up here are quick to add the description

“lifelong” to their thoughts about it.

Now, there is fresh life in this celebration of the nation and of

this community. For that, the city, Bromberg and Zambelli all deserve

fireworks.