Environmental regulations thwart Hingham Fourth of July fireworks; new location needed

Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read

HINGHAM – The town and the Hingham Lions Club are searching for a new location to launch the annual Fourth of July fireworks display  because of environmental regulations.

The fireworks show in Hingham Harbor is set to return this year after a three-year hiatus caused by  a lack of volunteers, not enough money and the coronavirus pandemic, but the town announced this week that the Lions Club will not be able to launch the display from its usual place.

A family watches fireworks in Hingham during a July 4 celebration.
A family watches fireworks in Hingham during a July 4 celebration.

The fireworks were scheduled for 9 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Button Island, which is a small island in the Hingham Bay area of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.

According to the Massachusetts Audubon Society's website,  some of the Harbor Islands, including Button Island, are home to birds that are federally protected.

"The town is actively assisting the Lions to find other potential sites that will allow for a fireworks display over the July 4th weekend," a statement on the town's website reads.

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Showcase Cinemas is sponsoring the fireworks. Mark Malinowski, vice president of global marketing for Showcase Cinemas, said the company hopes the town and Lions Club can figure out a way to move forward.

"We understand that a solution needs to be figured out that works for everyone, and we hope that happens," he said. "We are very excited to participate in this event in celebration of the opening of the Showcase Cinema de Lux Hanover Crossing this fall, and hope the event is able to go forward, even if it looks slightly different than originally planned."

Barnstable announced last month it will postpone its Fourth of July fireworks to Labor Day weekend because of  nesting endangered birds, including piping plovers and least terns.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hingham officials, Lions Club seek new location for fireworks