June 29, 2012 — Community fireworks shows planned for Tuesday and Wednesday have been canceled by the Morehead Tourism Commission.
The shows at Cave Run Lake and KY 32 north in Morehead will not be rescheduled this summer but a single show in the fall could be a possibility, according to Joy Brown, the commission’s acting executive director.
“Our cancellation of both shows is in response to the amended burn ban order issued Friday by Judge-Executive Jim Nickell on the recommendation of the State Fire Marshal,” Brown said.
Nickell’s executive order on Thursday prohibited all outside burning because of extreme heat and dry conditions. Friday’s order added fireworks to the ban.
“We agree with Judge Nickell that protecting lives and property should be everyone’s priority at this time,” Brown added.
“We first thought rescheduling was out of the question but Extreme Pyrotechnics, our contractor, may be able to do something for us this fall,” she said Monday.
Sponsoring fireworks shows is an ongoing community relations program of the Tourism Commission, according to Keith Kappes, commission chairman.
“The restaurant tax is the major revenue source for tourism marketing and we feel it is important to have events for local citizens who pay that tax just like our visitors,” Kappes said Monday. “We see fireworks as a give-back to the community and a tourism attraction at the same time.”
Brown said a decision on rescheduling could be finalized by the end of the week.
