Whether Unalaska will enjoy a fireworks show on July Fourth is still up in the air.
Larry Mattingly, the city's main contact providing pyrotechnic shows in the past, retired this year, according to City Manager David Martinson. Martinson wrote to the city council last week there was no guarantee of a Fourth of July show, nor a New Year's Eve show.
But in an email Monday, Martinson said city staff has made progress in cinching a pyrotechnics deal.
"It looks like we have had a breakthrough and we continue to work it with the hope of resolution within the next couple weeks," Martinson said.
A permanent, steadfast contract with a pyrotechnics company for Unalaska's biannual displays has eluded the city for the past few years.
In 2014, the city put out a bid request soliciting proposals from qualified and licensed pyrotechnic companies for that year's New Year's Eve show. In the bid specs, the city said it was looking for a show of at least 432 "aerial display shells," and a grand finale of 102 different fireworks.
The 2014 bid notes the city owns its own mortar tubes and provides a 53-foot trailer and a warehouse. The fireworks company brings in the explosives and a technician to build and operate the show. The city provides the operator with a round-trip plane ticket from Anchorage, a vehicle, three night's hotel room and a $50 per diem.
Last May, interim City Manager Donald Moore wrote in a manager's report to council "there was earlier concern that the fireworks contractor that has done the Unalaska display in the past would be unable to do so this year."
He reported on May 7, 2015 that for last summer's July 4th show, "Entertainment Fireworks, Inc., has since agreed and will once again provide the city fireworks display."
Mattingly retired from Entertainment Fireworks, Inc., based in Washington State.
This year, Martinson said the city has "been in contact with [Mattingly's] former company and his wife's company trying to arrange," a show. Entertainment Fireworks lists the average municipality-sponsored show at around $25,000.
"Most of the companies are unable to do so either because they are not licensed in Alaska or have commitments elsewhere," Martinson said.
