McLean Annual July 4 Fireworks Threatened

The fate of this year's annual McLean July 4 fireworks display at Langley High School depends on whether supporters of turfing an athletic field collect nearly $1 million in the next few months.

The McLean Community Center board which sponsors the annual community fireworks is grappling with the fate of the fireworks. The Langley High School Boosters is trying to raise $750,000 to $1 million to turf the athletic field at Langley, now used for the fireworks.

“If they raise the money in time they will turf the field. If they don’t raise the money in time” --- then the MCC still needs time to obtain the necessary permits from the county, MCC board chair Kevin Dent said at MCC's February board meeting.

“They best we can do now is keep playing it out,” he said. “If they turf the field we won’t have fireworks this summer.”

An estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people attend the community fireworks, now in its 29th year.

The Booster club holds their next major fundraiser March 24 in Great Falls.

Even if the fireworks do occur at Langley this July, this is the last year, according to MCC board members because of the upcoming renovation of Langley and the eventual turfing of the field.

MCC has looked for an alternative site but have encountered problems.

• Langley Forks Park on Georgetown Pike. Owned by the National Park Service and there is not enough parking.
• Cooper Middle School. Probably too much surrounding brush. Fire hazard.

“We do need to find a different venue going forward but other venues are not jumping out,” Dent said.

As an alternative to fireworks, a few residents have suggested holding a July 4 parade in downtown. McLean has only one community parade each year --- Winterfest in early December in downtown.