ABOUT TOWN: What Happened to Stoughton's Fourth of July Fireworks Show?

GREAT MUSIC, FRIED DOUGH, AND A GIANT DUD: After a couple of lengthy delays during Wednesday's Fourth of July fireworks show in Stoughton, and no grand finale, members of the Stoughton Community Events Committee (and many residents) expressed their disappointment with the quality of this year's show.

I’ve been writing for years about how magnificent the Stoughton Fireworks are every year. 

The Stoughton Community Events Committee works their tails off to bring the Kid’s Day celebration (which attracted 1000+ people last weekend to the fields behind Stoughton High), the Concert, Carnival and Fireworks on the 3rd, and the Parade on the 4th.

The concert went as it always does, as Ronnie Lewis and the Expedition knocked it out of the park, with songs going back to the 1950’s all the way to the music of today. 

Ronnie, a Stoughton High grad, who is in his early 60’s, sounds fantastic, and his backing band includes a number of fine musicians. Lewis has a voice than can adapt to a Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra or Neil Diamond tune (and he even sang a One Direction song, upon request, Wednesday night), and he makes the songs his own.  

The carnival attracted hundreds of children, who went on the rides, and snacked on fried Oreos and fried dough (OK, I confess. So did I.)  The VFW Post 1645 sold refreshments, and had a constant long line for dogs and burgers.  I spotted Stoughton’s Veterans Agent Mike Pazyra volunteering near the grill.

So, all was going well. 

Lewis sang “America the Beautiful” to conclude the concert. Robin Totman sang the National Anthem. I acknowledged the hard work of Event Chairman Bob Desmond and his group of volunteers.  The late Bob Parsons, whose spirit could be felt on the field, was mentioned. 

And, it was 9:30 p.m. And, the fireworks and their accompanied canned music began.

Pennsylvania-based Pyrotecnico, the company that did the fireworks last year (where a number of undetonated pieces were left on the ground, here and elsewhere at other shows they did across the state) lost their license, and therefore Stoughton needed a new vendor for this year's show. 

Former Selectman and Parade Chairman Joe Mokrisky told me that he was unable to hire a new company himself, as he (and other past chairmen) had always done.

Instead Maureen Doherty, the town’s Acting Procurement Officer, put the fireworks out to bid, with the bid going to RS Fireworks in Hudson, NH. 

That would turn out to be a very bad decision. 

I left a message for Doherty at Town Hall. I’m curious to know if there is any way to get a refund, through the results of a bid process.  I will update this story when I hear from her.

The fireworks started as they normally would, with about 20 minutes of singular small pieces. 

But, suddenly they stopped. 

There was no “finale” with numerous pieces as had been the tradition. Instead, there was the musical soundtrack with no entertainment. 

Viewers, gathered along the track and football field at the high school, stayed for a few minutes, waiting to see if there was going to be more, but when it seemed as if the show was indeed over, many began leaving, and getting caught in the traffic jam that resulted from hundreds of people trying to get from Point A to Point B at the same time. 

About 10 minutes later, after many had left, the fireworks started again and ran for about another 5 minutes, before another abrupt stop. Still, there was no finale. Nothing even resembling one. Someone texted me, “You lied.  This is not the best fireworks in the area.  Next year, I’m going to Sharon.”

During this second round of fireworks someone apparently set off a firework of their own near the skate park which launched towards the football stands, creating a large spark and a loud booming noise. According to fire officials on scene, there were no injuries.

As for the official (legal) fireworks, Mokrisky (who drove Stoughton’s antique fire truck in the parade, accompanied by his grandfather, Manny Diaz) said, “It was the worst fireworks I have seen in all my years here.  When we paid $10,000 we got a much better show than we did from RS Fireworks for $15,000.  It was a lot shorter show.  They owe us a refund or an explanation. We’ve gotten neither, so far.”   

Bob Desmond, who chaired all the July 3rd events, said, “You have to keep people’s attention. They didn’t do them in rapid sequence as previous companies did. It wasn’t anything to write home about.  I was totally disappointed.  They were taking too long. I’ve been here over 40 years, and it was the worst fireworks here I’ve ever seen."

I contacted Shawn Roberts and Rob Lavoie, owners at RS Fireworks for comments regarding the job done by their company, which bills itself as “New England’s Premiere Fireworks Company.”  I hadn’t heard back from either of them by press time.

Residents expressed their disappointment with the fireworks on Facebook and Patch.

After long-time 4th of July leaders Bob Parsons gave his notice, then-Selectman Joe Mokrisky created an Events Committee, a few years ago. He has been out front since then.  This was Mokrisky’s last year as Chairman. 

He tells About Town, “It’s time.  We need new people with fresh ideas to step forward. Some people feel someone will always be there.  Last year, we had to cancel Kids Day because of a lack of volunteers. The town is changing.  The changes from town hall, including less support, are obvious.  They seem to almost work against us. It’s time to leave. My business is going well.  I’ll still help out around town.  We’ve had a lot of fun putting banners up before the Christmas Parade.  No matter how hard we work, there are always complaints. But, the complainers don’t volunteer.  We give up our Fourth of July with our families to make the events happen. I’m proud to have served with everyone on the Events Committee. They worked their tails off.”

We should give kudos to Bob Desmond, Chairman of the Stoughton Community Events Committee, and the July 3rd Concert, Carnival and Fireworks. I’d also like to recognize the other members of the SCEC, Marlyce O’Brien, Jamie Sheas Carr, Laurie Cushing, Michelle Jackson, David “Spanky” Sousa, Stephanie Trovato, and Marie Sousa.

The Parade on the 4th went off without a hitch.  Jeff Connors of Audio PA System of Stoughton, provided the sound equipment that allowed me to be heard throughout the square.

Participants in the parade included Stoughton Police and Fire; public safety vehicles from surrounding towns, including, Easton, Holbrook, Randolph, Avon, and Bridgewater; Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti’s Office; the VFW honor guard; Police Chief Paul Shastany, Deputy Police Chief Robert Devine and Fire Chief Mark Dolloff; Moderator Howard Hansen; Selectmen John Anzivino, Bob O’Regan, T.J. Recupero, and Cynthia Walsh (who was in a Thunderbird driven by former Selectman John Kowalczyk).

Also marching were State Senator Brian Joyce, who handed out blue balloons; Governor’s Councilor and noted criminal attorney Robert Jubinville Norfolk County D.A. Michael Morrissey;  and school committee members Joyce Husseini, Deb Sovinee, George Dolinsky and Dr. Erdem Ural.  

Grand Marshals for the Parade were long-time SCEC members Carlene and Dennis Walsh. 

SCEC Member David “Spanky” Sousa wrote, “They are unsung heroes. Dennis and Carlene are there three or four hours before events.  They put up banners and Christmas lights around town for each event and season. They pick up trash after each event. When you see them around town, thank them with open arms. The Committee thanks them for what they have done for this town. It will never be forgotten.”

Other participants in the parade included the Stoughton Historical Society, the Civil War Reenactors, South Shore Model T Club, Worcester Sound & Light, Lou’s Custom Exhaust, Trinity Church, Stoughton Youth Baseball National League Champs (The Nationals), and American League Champs (The Tigers), A Quebec-based band, Boston Windjammers, Elite Fitness, Stoughton Women’s Club, The Events Connection, Little Theatre of Stoughton, Stoughton Youth Soccer, Stoughton Public Library, Stoughton DPW, Stoughton Farmer’s Market, South Shore Corvette Club, Hot Tamales, Zogheib Auto Upholstery, Stoyac Softball, JAMZ All Star Cheerleaders, and the Deborah Sampson DAR Chapter. 

Despite humid temps in the 90’s, everyone had a great time.  Crowds were a bit thinner than previous ones, but the heat was oppressive.   

Once again, the volunteers at the Stoughton Community Events Committee presented Fourth of July events that the residents could feel proud of.  Thanks!