Germantown to host city’s largest fireworks show ever

Germantown hopes to wow people Wednesday with its biggest fireworks show ever, making up for last year’s canceled event.

With an $8,000 refund from last year, called off due to lightning, City Administrator Patrick Lawton said this year’s production will be an $18,000 show.

The show is scheduled for approximately 9:10 p.m. Despite a 15 percent chance of rain, Will Kassner, the city’s special event and marketing coordinator, guaranteed Germantown would see fireworks Wednesday.

“If weather becomes an issue, we will either push (the time) back or up,” Kassner said. “There are still no rain dates.”

The show usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Lawton said he expects it to last the same amount of time, but more bursts will go off at once.

The extra shells will not cause Germantown Fire Department to alter its plan for safety. The city has a limit on how high and wide the explosions can be due to structures in the area.

“We have a pretty elaborate plan we use every year that’s adaptable,” Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Beaman said. “If there are additional shells, it will be more of what you already see.”

Last year, the Dantones planned to perform, and Kassner said they were rescheduled so the city could hear the band. They will play before the Memphis Wind Symphony performs its patriotic tribute at 7:25 p.m.

Kassner said moon bounces, face painting and other events will be similar to past years. Germantown Athletic Club and GPAC parking lots will be closed all day to set up for the display. Exeter Road is scheduled to close at 2 p.m. to set up for events that begin at 5 p.m.