"Chicago is canceling its huge July 3 fireworks extravaganza at Taste of Chicago"

[nd5056]

This is a “SILVER” bullet to the city economy and local businesses. Save pennies but let the quarters roll away…

Let me just say this, there is a very good reason why people are renaming Chicago’s “COOK” county into “CROOK” county and the only state that ALWAYS have a governor in jail, accept for right now – we have 2 of them in there!!!

Please let City Hall know how you feel about it…

City Replaces July 3 Fireworks With Smaller Shows


CHICAGO (STMW) ― Chicago is canceling its huge, annual July 3 fireworks extravaganza at Taste of Chicago in Grant Park and will replace it with three smaller fireworks shows on July 4.

Under a surprise cost-cutting plan announced Wednesday, the city will conduct smaller shows on Navy Pier and at *****closed locations on the south lakefront and the north lakefront on July 4.

Taste of Chicago will continue, but it will close earlier -- at 6 p.m. -- on July 3 and 4.

The decision is designed to save the city nearly $1 million.

It comes on top of Mayor Daley's decision to sink Venetian Night, the city's longtime annual parade of illuminated boats that drew up to 500,000 people to the lakefront for concerts and fireworks.

Megan McDonald, director of special events, said the move to kill the Taste of Chicago fireworks extravaganza acknowledges both tough economic times and that many people like to spend holidays in their own neighborhoods.

“We decided this year to bring the fireworks to them,” McDonald said. “This will result in a more cost-efficient celebration and less congestion of people in one site, for a more pleasant experience.

“Additionally, these savings will enable the Office of Special Events to offer name talent every day of the 10-day Taste of Chicago.”.

 

[mrsv98]

This is a “SILVER” bullet to the city economy and local businesses. Save pennies but let the quarters roll away…

Let me just say this, there is a very good reason why people are renaming Chicago’s “COOK” county into “CROOK” county and the only state that ALWAYS have a governor in jail, accept for right now – we have 2 of them in there!!!

Please let City Hall know how you feel about it…

Sorry but I agree with the Mayor. The city is hurting big time and the fireworks show costs upwards of a million dollars. That is a lot of salary and if you ask me if I want fireworks or 100 people to keep their jobs, the people win. My guess is that some large company or a group of companies will step forward to foot the bill. We all have to make tough choices when money is tight and on this (but not much else!) I agree with Richie.

 

[wdwfan16]

Sorry but I agree with the Mayor. The city is hurting big time and the fireworks show costs upwards of a million dollars. That is a lot of salary and if you ask me if I want fireworks or 100 people to keep their jobs, the people win. My guess is that some large company or a group of companies will step forward to foot the bill. We all have to make tough choices when money is tight and on this (but not much else!) I agree with Richie.

I agree with the Mayor too.

 

[Mom-to-2-Princesses]

Sorry but I agree with the Mayor. The city is hurting big time and the fireworks show costs upwards of a million dollars. That is a lot of salary and if you ask me if I want fireworks or 100 people to keep their jobs, the people win. My guess is that some large company or a group of companies will step forward to foot the bill. We all have to make tough choices when money is tight and on this (but not much else!) I agree with Richie.

I understand your point, but did you read the last line in the article?
“Additionally, these savings will enable the Office of Special Events to offer name talent every day of the 10-day Taste of Chicago.”

So I'm not sure I understand the "cost-cutting" mentioned in the first sentence of the article.

BTW - -I don't go to this event, I just thought the article was a confusing spin!

 

[luvmy3]

I understand your point, but did you read the last line in the article?
“Additionally, these savings will enable the Office of Special Events to offer name talent every day of the 10-day Taste of Chicago.”

So I'm not sure I understand the "cost-cutting" mentioned in the first sentence of the article.

BTW - -I don't go to this event, I just thought the article was a confusing spin!

Yes, it sounds like cost rearranging, not cost cutting to me. Why not cut even more by not having "name talent" and maybe hiring local talent

 

[nd5056]

...My guess is that some large company or a group of companies will step forward to foot the bill...

I couldn’t agree with you more on this one, but the action is a “modern days extortion” that the City Hall is doing, who know maybe someone will even get bribed along the process.

But, could you simply explain to me how in the world we could have afforded the Olympics but not the Icon of all the Chicago’s events – July 3rd Taste of Chicago & Fireworks???

People were coming out of state to be here this day, regardless how we feel about it. Many of them used this board to ask questions while planning this event. Your answer to them is “stay home, there’s nothing to see here”???

McCormick is loosing trade shows like crazy. Of course, in order to save the union jobs there they were charging $100 per case of Coke or the fact that unloading a crate for a machine show did cost MORE then trucking it here all the way from Texas!

Take a look at Detroit City, where they were and where they are today, too many things are happening in the City of Chicago that could mark the end of once the greatest city in the Midwest.

.

 

[Free4Life11]

I think this is such a stupid idea. That was one of my favorite events every year and each time I went it was packed...that's a million plus people, most spending money, using public transportation, parking in garages, etc.

To cancel it in the name of cost savings is ridiculous, since the money is just going to be spent on smaller (code for LAME) fireworks shows and more "name" talent for the Taste. Where exactly do these "big names" perform? What big names would draw in 1 million+ people like the fireworks do?

If they were TRULY cancelling it to save money, I can understand that. I wouldn't be happy, but I would understand it. But they aren't doing it to save money...they are doing it so they can spend money on other entertainment.

Very disappointed in this decision! $1 million for a fireworks show for the 3rd largest city in the country is small, compared to the number of people that come out for the event.

 

[mrsv98]

But, could you simply explain to me how in the world we could have afforded the Olympics but not the Icon of all the Chicago’s events – July 3rd Taste of Chicago & Fireworks???


McCormick is loosing trade shows like crazy. Of course, in order to save the union jobs there they were charging $100 per case of Coke or the fact that unloading a crate for a machine show did cost MORE then trucking it here all the way from Texas!



.

The Olympics would have been funded entirely differently, with the city itself paying a tiny portion of the overall cost. Yes, it may be a case of arm twisting by in this instance I don't care.

The unions are very much to blame in the exodus of trade shows (and I grew up in a union household). If they don't make concessions, they won't have anyone to sell $100 coke to!

 

[Kae]

I see the OP point. For citys you have to spend money to make money. It just is hard to do sometimes during these times. We just cut our JazzFest for 3 days to 2 days But we are adding another stage area so we really arent cutting the talent & Sunday was not a high crowd day.

Kae

 

[daughtersrus]

Garry Meier was talking about this yesterday on WGN radio. He suggested several months ago that they find "sponsors" for these type of events. I'm not sure if he was being serious or not.

He did have several people calling in to discuss this. Several of them are/were Chicago Police Officers. They all made comments on how much the extra security costs and how bad the gang presence was.

Garry also had Megan McDonald (the spokesperson for the city) on. She kept saying that they are not canceling the fireworks, just relocating them into 3 smaller shows instead of one big one. She never admitted that it was because of security and gangs but by doing so, she said that the crowds would be smaller and spread out.

 

[nd5056]

...

He did have several people calling in to discuss this. Several of them are/were Chicago Police Officers. They all made comments on how much the extra security costs and how bad the gang presence was....

We will not have a gang presence problem if we'll cancel the event they are gathering at.

See no evil, hear no evil...