City of Rochester Shares Update on July 4 Fireworks Display

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 to determine the cause of the technical issues and the appropriate next steps. At this time, the fireworks display is not anticipated to be rescheduled for July 5. However, the City remains committed to providing an Independence Day fireworks display in the future. 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.