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Families upset by Fort Myers fireworks delay
By
WINK News
Story Created:
Jul 5, 2009 at 3:31 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jul 5, 2009 at 3:31 PM EDT
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Many people expecting to see fireworks in the Fort Myers river district on Saturday night left upset and frustrated.
The fireworks were scheduled to begin around 9:30, but the show sponsors say the fireworks were delayed almost two hours because a tug boat pulling the fireworks broke down.
A second boat had to be called in from the Tampa area. Then the fireworks had to be set up and re-wired safely. That process normally takes about five hours, but the crew had it done about two hours.
The fireworks show began around 11:20.
However, the delay upset several families, some of whom left early.
"They said they wanted to sue the mayor, and I said well it's not really his problem. I guess we'll find out who's fault it was," said Corey Dreher of Chicago, who left after more than an hour of waiting for the show.
"Us and Sandbill Realty Group had no control over the fireworks, this was something that we donated to the city and the city took 100-percent control over this," said Courtney Neuhausel of Sandbill Realty. The company donated $30,000 to pay for the fireworks event, which the city nearly cancelled due to budget concerns.
