Safety Harbor moves July 4 fireworks show amid nesting bird concerns

A pair of islands in Alligator Lake are home to several nesting state-threatened bird species, including wood storks and reddish egrets, according to Audubon Florida. For this reason, Safety Harbor has moved its Fourth of July fireworks display to another location. [ Courtesy of Ann Paul ]

One wildlife advocate asked the city to do away with fireworks during future celebrations.

Safety Harbor city council members voted unanimously Monday evening to relocate the annual July 4 fireworks show after environmental concerns arose.

Local environmental advocates had worried that loud fireworks booming over the Safety Harbor City Park, which borders Alligator Lake, could cause rare, protected birds nesting on the lake’s islands to abandon nests and leave chicks vulnerable to predators.

All four voting members of the council agreed to move the event back to Waterfront Park, where the show was held last year. State wildlife agency staff told the city that there are no concerns about wildlife at Waterfront Park.

The July 4 event was moved to City Park in March because of several construction projects in and around Waterfront Park, including on the pier and marina and other restoration projects in the wake of the 2024 hurricanes, said city manager Josh Stefancic.

A state-threatened reddish egret fledgling wades in Alligator Lake, a few hundred feet from where the City of Safety Harbor previously planned to launch July 4 fireworks. City officials voted Monday to move the event to a venue that would not disrupt nearby wildlife. [ Courtesy of Ann Paul ]

Catherine Branch, a member of the Safety Harbor Owl Team, thanked the council for listening to local wildlife advocates. During public comment, she also urged council members to consider swapping noisy, smokey fireworks with a drone light show.

She said the change would mitigate harm to air, water and soil quality, as well as lessen stress on veterans and pets.

“I think it’s kind of weird, personally, that we’re using Chinese ancient dynamite to celebrate an American patriotic event,” Branch said.

Vice Mayor Nancy Besore said the city has explored investing in a drone show, but was deterred by its cost. The city spends about $30,000 each year on fireworks, but estimates it could take $125,000 to pay for drones.

Because space is limited by construction, the fireworks-only show will not host live music or food-and-drink vendors.

Attendees will be able to park at Safety Harbor Middle School, and accessible parking will be available at the library. The event starts at 9 p.m.

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