4th of July Fireworks Plan to Be Considered

Come the Fourth of July, the night sky may sparkle again in the far West Valley.

The city of Calabasas is working on a plan to add a fireworks display to its annual Fourth of July festivities, but still has to convince Calabasas High School officials to host the event.

With the cancellation of the 22-year-old display at Pierce College in Woodland Hills after the 1996 show, celebrants have few pyrotechnic choices in an area that, like many others, prohibits uncontrolled fireworks in residential neighborhoods.

Greg Johnson, the city’s community services director, said he has been working with county fire and Sheriff’s Department officials to plan the event.

The existing city-sponsored events--boat races, pet shows and a free-swim “splash party”--end each year at about 5.

“If we have 1,000 people [at our events], a fireworks display in the evening might be quite a capper,” Johnson said.

A location study determined that the high school on Mulholland Highway would be the best and safest place for the display.

Las Virgenes Unified School District officials said the request will be considered at Tuesday’s board meeting.

Donald Zimring, the school district’s assistant superintendent of business, said high school campuses have had small fireworks displays in the past during football games.

However, a community event raises concerns about traffic, crowd control, property damage and alcohol consumption on school grounds, he said.

City officials said they understand the issues and have been working on solutions to potential problems.

The school district will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 4111 N. Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas.