Lake Murray Fourth of July Fireworks Show Canceled Again

The Lake Murray July Fourth Music Fest and Fireworks Show is canceled for the second year in a row due to continuing litigation arguing that the environmental impacts of fireworks displays over bodies of water in San Diego wasn't considered when the law allowing such shows was enacted.

The City of San Diego has lost four court battles with Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation on the issue of fireworks over water, and the appeals process for those cases is ongoing. The Lake Murray fireworks show would require an environmental impact report that costs too much, or the show organizers could be in legal jeopardy.

The note announcing the cancellation on the Lake Murray July 4th Music Fest and Fireworks Committee website explains why the legality of the fireworks show remains in limbo.

"The bottom line is the City of San Diego had a choice to make: appeal the rulings in the four cases it lost or produce a Programmed EIR for fireworks events over water. The City opted to appeal, so we’re stuck in neutral while awaiting the Appellate Court ruling on the four cases before it. If the court finds for the City, then an EIR may not be needed. If the court finds for CERF, then the city may be forced to produce a programmed EIR, which we may then be able to use to hold the Lake Murray event," wrote John Pilch, committee Treasurer.

The note on the website says the group hasn't given up hope that the event will be held again one day.

"Please know that we will consider the possibility of holding the event in the future, if the appellate court ruling makes it feasible to do so," wrote Pilch.

Pilch told the San Diego Reader in May that a music festival would not be held without fireworks.

“With no fireworks at 9:15 p.m., we might have things thrown at us."