07/05/2026
A Statement from the St. Cloud Fireworks Board
First and foremost, thank you to every single person who came out to celebrate with us yesterday, and especially to all of our vendors who joined us at Wilson Park. Before the storm arrived, it truly felt like it was shaping up to be one of our best celebrations yet. We saw incredible foot traffic even before the park officially opened at 3:00 PM, and despite the heat, the atmosphere was filled with excitement, families, and community.
To everyone who was at the park when the storm hit, we know how scary that was. The golf ball sized hail and wind seemed to come out of nowhere, and our first thought is that we sincerely hope everyone made it home safely.
What we witnessed during those moments is something we will never forget. Families helped complete strangers. Parents shielded children. People rushed to help move strollers, babies, pets, and anyone who needed shelter into the pavilion. In the middle of the chaos, people came together.
That is what America is about!
We also want to recognize the incredible people who made this event possible.
Thank you to our volunteers, who jumped into action despite the chaos. Thank you to our fireworks crew, who spent more than three days setting up this display. Thank you to our city workers, who worked tirelessly for days leading up to the event and again afterward. Thank you to our Police Department, Fire Department, EMS, first responders, and everyone who helped keep our community safe. And thank you to our sponsors and donors, whose generosity makes this celebration possible every year! THANK YOU!
This event is planned over the course of months, with countless volunteer hours and thousands of donated dollars invested into creating something special for our community.
Unfortunately, the storm didn't just impact the fireworks. It also destroyed our digital display and all of our sound equipment, resulting in significant damage to equipment that helped make the event possible. While those losses are difficult, we are incredibly grateful that people were protected and that no serious injuries have been reported.
We are just as disappointed as many of you are.
Not because we didn't plan.
Not because we didn't care.
Not because we didn't show up.
Not because we didn't invest the time or the money.
We are disappointed because after months of preparation, Mother Nature had a different plan.
Many have asked why the fireworks did not perform as expected.
Our fireworks are fired in multiple sections throughout the show. The Grand Finale was its own separate firing section, and unfortunately that portion sustained damage during the severe weather. There was simply no way to know which sections would successfully ignite and which would not until they were fired. We performed every test we safely could without unintentionally setting off the entire display. Unfortunately, the damaged Grand finale simply would not light.
We know many of you expected more, and we truly wish we could have delivered it.
We've also heard concerns regarding debris. Fireworks require ignition to function, and once they are launched, changing winds and atmospheric conditions can affect where spent debris falls. That is why we establish extensive safety zones, install fencing, follow strict industry regulations, and always encourage spectators who are concerned about debris to watch from farther back. Safety has always been and always will be our top priority!
We've also received questions about why the fireworks are no longer launched from the river barge.
It's been several years since we used the barge. Returning to that setup would add approximately $30,000 in additional expenses and also requires a licensed captain. Sadly, our longtime captain passed away, and with his passing we lost someone who dedicated so much to this event.
Even if we had planned to launch from the barge this year, it would not have been possible. The show would have been cancelled. River levels were so high after the storm that access points were all flooded, and conditions unsafe even emergency rescue operations were impacted and were not able to do what they do every year to keep the boats out of the water. The weather affected every aspect of the event, regardless of the launch location.
Fireworks Delay.
Just minutes before the 10PM launch, we were informed by law enforcement that a Life Link helicopter was en route to transport someone in need of lifesaving emergency medical care. We worked along side dispatch and PD for the okay. There are moments when helping save a life takes priority over everything else.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the individual, their family, and the first responders involved. We sincerely hope they are safe and on the road to recovery.
Yesterday was never supposed to be about disappointment.
It was about celebrating America's 250th birthday, honoring the brave men and women who fought for our freedoms, remembering those who gave everything, and bringing our community together.
Despite the storm, we saw exactly that.
To everyone who offered a helping hand, showed patience, thanked a volunteer, comforted a stranger, or simply chose kindness—thank you.
We know emotions were high, and we understand the frustration. We only ask that, as a community, we continue to extend grace to the volunteers who give countless hours each year to make this celebration possible.
We promise you this:
We'll be back.
We'll learn from this year.
We'll rebuild.
And we'll do everything we can to make next year's celebration even stronger for the people who show up!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, your understanding, and for standing with us.
God Bless America, and we'll see you next year. ❤️🤍💙
— The St. Cloud Fireworks Board
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