Businesses react to Melaleuca Freedom Celebration fireworks moving locations
The long-running Melaleuca Freedom Celebration fireworks will be firing off from a new location starting in 2017.
In a press conference Wednesday, Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot and Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper announced that in 2017 the show would be moving to an as yet undecided new location for its 25th anniversary.
“The good news is we are not moving it to Blackfoot or Pocatello or Minneapolis,” VanderSloot said.
During the conference, VanderSloot said that the event has outgrown its current location on the Idaho Falls Greenbelt and that moving the show will let Melaleuca continue to grow and improve the show. One of the concerns about the current location is that the tree in the area are too tall and pose a safety risk. Moving the show away from them will allow for bigger displays and larger shells.
“We are so close, right there with the boat launch, we are so close to neighboring homes,” VanderSloot said. “Every year we have held our breath.”
The move has been in discussion for years but had not been done because of the memories and history of the event at its historical location.
Melaleuca hasn’t decided on a new location for the show but hopes to have it selected by January. Sandy Downs and Sand Creek golf course are two locations that are being discussed but others are still being considered. The event could even potentially be moved outside of the city limits to somewhere within Bonneville County.
Mayor Casper says the City will work with businesses to make the event even more profitable for local businesses.
“It is a significant day for commerce. A lot of people depend on the revenues they make on this day,” Casper said.
Businesses along the greenbelt tell KIFI/KIDK they aren’t sure what to expect from the change in location.
“We are very busy throughout the summer,” David Stephens with The Sandpiper Restaurant said. “It will just put a damper on a fun day, but I am sure if it moved far enough away some of the hotels here on hotel row will lose some business.”
The community can suggest new location ideas by calling 208-528-2011 or emailing freedom@melaleuca.com.
