Baltimore City Cancels Its New Year's Eve Fireworks Show
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Baltimore won't be ringing in 2022 with a bang.
The city announced Wednesday that it's canceling its New Year's Eve Spectacular for the second year in a row.
Mayor Brandon Scott declined to comment on the cancellation, but Deputy Mayor for Community and Economic Development Ted Carter explained that it had do with the costs and logistical challenges involved with hosting the annual event.
"As much as we would like to kick off the New Year with a fireworks celebration, after reviewing the logistics, costs, and other considerations given our recent Labor Day fireworks event, the City has decided not to proceed with fireworks this New Year," Carter said.
Traditionally, the celebration is held in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, and it features a combination of fireworks and live music. Last year, it was scrubbed due to crowd restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, which produces the event, said it stands by the city's decision. But the news was met with disappointment among those who looked forward to attending and watching the spectacle.
"That's really unfortunate. It is a really good time," said Andy Hait of College Park.
Susan Rosenquist of Ellicott City said it's her family tradition to kick off the new year with fireworks at the Inner Harbor.
"We would come down, we watched them from Fort McHenry. We could see them from Fort McHenry or we would watch them from the top of Federal Hill, so it was always just a really fun thing," Rosenquist said. "So, it's disappointing."
Though Carter said the city plans to resume normal event planning in 2022, some residents said they wish the city was better prepared for an event of this scale.
"I feel there should be better planning, and everything goes down to how well we plan, right?" Ashish Dahal wondered aloud.
The Rusty Scupper, a restaurant along the city's waterfront, is usually a popular destination on New Year's Eve. General manager Julian Demiri doesn't think canceling the fireworks will change that.
"We're taking reservations like normal," Demiri said. "We're always booked on that day, so I don't think it's going to impact us because of our location."
In lieu of fireworks, the city is promoting other events including Thursday's Monument Lighting in Mount Vernon and Christmas Village in Baltimore at West Shore Park.
But for those who refuse to ring in 2022 without fireworks, there are alternatives available.