politics
Hinesburg Vermont cancels 2026 fireworks after $20,000 quote exceeds $13,500 budget
Axios reported that Hinesburg, Vermont, canceled its Independence Day fireworks display after receiving a $20,000 minimum quote that exceeded its $13,500 budget. Fireworks companies described increased demand and higher budgets from larger municipalities for the 250th anniversary.
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Hinesburg, Vermont, canceled its planned fireworks display for 2026 after receiving a minimum quote of $20,000, well above the $13,500 it had budgeted, Axios reported. Tyler Wheat, president of Illumination Fireworks, a Dallas-area company, said his firm turns away some requests for shows costing $10,000 or less, and more than usual this year.
"We have to put those as priority, because obviously we're a business, we have to make profit," Wheat said, referring to cities with larger budgets.
Illumination Fireworks plans to produce about 50 shows between June 26 and July 5, compared with its typical range of 37 to 42 in prior years. Iolaus Lee, owner of Detroit-based AMS Displays, said some municipalities have doubled or tripled their budgets to secure bigger displays for the anniversary.
His company is staging around 15 shows on July 4 and has declined roughly 50 requests for the season.
Most shows cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per minute, Lee said. Fireworks firms depend on seasonal pyrotechnicians for summer events including Independence Day, weddings and fairs. Lee said he prioritizes applicants who grasp the risks of the work.
Drone shows offer an alternative but cost about the same or more, according to Wheat.
