Downtown Tempe’s annual fireworks display has been canceled this year because the area where the fireworks are usually launched is too dry.
Tempe’s fireworks show has been going strong for more than 30 years. The display is usually shot off at midnight on New Year’s Eve from the top of “A” Mountain.
Kate Borders is with the Downtown Tempe Authority. She said this year, the conditions made it unsafe to launch fireworks from their usual spot.
“The fireworks company went and did a site inspection within the last few days and they were concerned," Borders said. "They discussed it with the fire department and the fire department was concerned. So we looked at what other options we could potentially make happen immediately and didn’t find that any of those could work.”
Borders said even though the fireworks won’t be happening this year, there are still plenty of festivities happening around Tempe.
"Many venues have all sorts of celebrations and activities and bands. It’s a very celebratory night, and that will not change.”
