Details worked out on Utica fireworks display event

Display location: Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre’s parking garage
City:Uticy
State:NY
Date:Aug 20. 9:45 p.m.

Details: The city worked out the final details of Fireworks Over Utica on Thursday, nine days before the event is scheduled to take place in the area around City Hall.

At a meeting of event coordinators, city employees and public safety officials, Chief Fire Marshal Raymond Beck expressed concerns about pulling the event off legally in the area near City Hall.

The Aug. 22 event will consist of a concert by Blue Oyster Cult at Hanna Park, culminating in an 18-minute fireworks show beginning at 9:45 p.m. The fireworks will be set off from the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre’s parking garage, across the street from City Hall.

Beck expressed concerns about fireworks safety, given the many structures located near the parking garage.

Radisson General Manager Mark Cherry said the solution involved using smaller charges so that fireworks could be shot off from the top of the garage.

At the meeting, Cherry expressed concerns about use of the parking garage. The original plans included closing the Radisson parking garage, but Cherry said he needed it for patrons of the hotel and a wedding planned that night.

In the end, it was decided the garage would only be closed during the fireworks display, a conclusion Cherry said he was satisfied with.

“It seemed to resolve itself,” Cherry said. “When I got up and left, I was quite happy.”

Officials said they believed key issues had been worked out.

“That’s what these final meetings are for,” said Larry Desiato, events coordinator for the city. “To finalize the preparation and final steps.”

Pamela Levine of Strategic Partnership Services – an events company that’s part of radio company Galaxy Communications – said the gates at the event will open at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10.