The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival has been canceled due to rising permit costs and the city’s new restrictions on fireworks.
Hosted by the Lake Murray Fireworks and Events Committee at the community park, the 4th of July celebration featured a full day of live music, food vendors and the signature fireworks.
The display, launched over Lake Murray, was visible throughout the park and could be seen as far away as La Mesa and Del Cerro.
However, this year’s festival faced a number of challenges that ultimately led to its cancellation – coinciding with the retirement of long-time executive staff and volunteers from the nonprofit.
“We had hoped that we would be able to continue on, but we just didn’t get the help that we needed,” committee Treasurer Bryan Pridmore said.
As the committee was planning the festival in 2024, Pridmore said city officials warned them it would be “the last time” that fireworks would be allowed in the park due to new environmental restrictions.
He added that although the team remained optimistic about reaching an agreement with the city, the festival ultimately lost its fireworks permit.
Without the fireworks, Pridmore said there was no reason to carry on with the music festival, as it was largely held as a means to secure funding for the firework show.
The event also faced significant funding challenges, as Pridmore said the nonprofit did not raise enough money to cover the costs of this year’s festival.
“We didn’t even raise enough money for last year’s show,” Pridmore said. “We had to go into savings to pay for it.”
Permit costs are a large part of the price tag, as Pridmore said expenses have increased to about 10 times the amount the nonprofit paid back in 2015.
He added that ever since the committee announced the event’s cancellation, residents have voiced their frustration, seeing the event as an important way to bring the community together.
“You’d come to celebrate our country, and then meet someone who turns out to be your neighbor or someone next door, and you’d build community that way,” Pridmore said.
“Without this event, it’ll be harder to do that.”
The committee has begun to raise funds for a potential return in 2026, hoping to secure the necessary permits from the city and meet its funding targets.
However, Pridmore said there are still several obstacles to overcome before the event can happen.
“If we still can’t get through the red tape of the city and the permitting cost process, we still may not be able to hold the event,” Pridmore said. “Right now, it’s unknown.”
If the event returns, fireworks are likely to be scrapped altogether.
Instead, organizers are considering a drone show, which Pridmore noted could make the event even more costly.
He said that those who want to see the event return can support it by making online donations and joining the team of volunteers.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Lake Murray fireworks canceled for 2025, future uncertain due to funding, permit issues )
Also on site :