City of Rochester Shares Update on July 4 Fireworks Display

Statement from fireworks vendor, J&M Displays, Inc., July 6, 2026:

J&M Displays, Inc. regrets that, due to a combination of severe weather conditions and crew heat exhaustion, only a small portion of the scheduled fireworks display was presented during the July 4th celebration.

As storms approached the area, the decision was made to move the start time of the display up to 9:30 p.m. in an effort to safely complete the show before the weather arrived. Unfortunately, the combination of the extreme heat experienced throughout the day and the earlier than planned start time prevented our crew from completing the setup of the full display before launch.

Safety is always J&M Displays’ highest priority for both our crew and the public. While we are disappointed that we were unable to deliver the complete show as planned, we are committed to making it right.

To demonstrate that commitment, J&M Displays will provide the city with a brand-new fireworks display at no cost on a date selected by city officials. We appreciate the community’s understanding and look forward to returning to deliver the full experience everyone deserves.

We are working with the City of Rochester to explore options for a potential rescheduled fireworks display. We want to honor the spirit of Independence Day and America's 250th as we work together to identify an approach that will deliver the greatest value for the Rochester community.

J&M Displays sincerely thanks the city, event organizers, and attendees for their patience and continued support.

Statement from the City of Rochester, July 5, 2026:

The City of Rochester apologizes to everyone who came to the 4th Fest celebration anticipating a full fireworks show. We recognize the disappointment experienced by community members and visitors when the fireworks show did not unfold as planned.

The City planned and paid for a full fireworks display. As weather approached the area, the decision was made to begin the show earlier than scheduled to maximize the opportunity to safely present the complete program before conditions changed. 

Unfortunately, due to inclement weather and technical issues, only a very condensed display could be presented. Once it became clear no additional fireworks could be launched, we shared information on our social media channels, advising attendees the display had concluded and they should leave the area safely. Due to the nature of the event setup this year, the City was unable to make an announcement within Soldiers Field Memorial Park. 

The City is disappointed with how the evening concluded and understands that many families and visitors made plans around this annual tradition. The City shares in that disappointment and is committed to understanding exactly what occurred. 

We are actively working with the fireworks vendor, J&M Displays, to determine the cause of the technical issues and the appropriate next steps, including a replacement fireworks show. As planning begins for 2027, we will make changes to both the fireworks program and the communication plan to improve the overall experience if unexpected circumstances arise again. 

While the fireworks display did not go as planned, the City is grateful to everyone who joined us at Soldiers Field Memorial Park. We also thank Experience Rochester for organizing the many 4th Fest activities and entertainment that brought our community together throughout the day. We appreciate everyone's patience, understanding and continued support as we work to ensure a better experience in the future.