The possibility of bringing back a community fireworks show to Sapulpa is once again on the table—but city officials say it’s far more complicated than simply lighting the fuse.
In a recent interview, Sapulpa Communications Coordinator Lucy Lawson outlined what it would take to revive the long-running tradition, which disappeared after the COVID-19 pandemic.
For decades, the city’s annual fireworks display was a staple of summer, largely funded and organized by American Heritage Bank. According to Lawson, the bank had been involved since the late 1970s, with longtime organizer Tammy taking over the effort in 1997 and continuing through 2020.
“When that firework show was cancelled [during COVID], American Heritage kind of took that into consideration… what it required of them and their employees,” Lawson said. “At that time, fireworks did go away.”
In the years since, the bank has shifted its focus to other community initiatives, including the popular Christmas Chute, leaving the city without a summer fireworks event. While alternative efforts like drone shows have filled the gap at times, many residents have expressed interest in bringing back traditional fireworks.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, the councilors and staff began discussing what it would take to bring that show back for the nation’s 250th birthday.
What they’ve found so far: it’s a major undertaking.
“It’s a 20-minute show, but it is a three-day hands-on working commitment,” Lawson said.
Preparation begins at least a day in advance, followed by a full day of setup, coordination, and execution. Cleanup continues into the following day, including debris from both the fireworks themselves and the crowds they draw.
Beyond logistics, safety requirements significantly complicate matters. Fireworks displays must meet strict distance guidelines based on the size of the shells being used.
“For every inch of shell, you have to be 40 feet away from a home,” Lawson explained, noting that debris can still land outside those boundaries.
That means finding a suitable location—large enough to accommodate safety zones, crowds and parking—is a challenge in itself. Road closures would also be necessary, particularly if the show were held in its previous location near Taft Avenue and Route 66.
Staffing is another major hurdle.
Lawson said a typical event would require around 50 volunteers, along with 20 to 25 police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Even then, the city must maintain normal public safety operations elsewhere.
“We can’t abandon the rest of the city,” she said.
Additionally, traffic control, crowd management and emergency response planning all factor into the overall cost—something many residents may not realize when watching the brief display.
“There’s a lot that goes into these things… probably a lot more… than you even see,” Lawson said.
Those realities were presented to city council members, who ultimately chose to table the discussion for now. More conversations are expected at a future meeting as officials evaluate whether a fireworks show is feasible—and if so, how it might be structured.
Lawson emphasized that the idea is not off the table.
“I’m not going to say that the city is saying absolutely no fireworks… there’s a lot of conversation and a lot of people want to have it,” she said. “But it’s trying to figure out how does it work and how does it happen.”
One key factor could be community involvement. Lawson said the original fireworks shows relied heavily on volunteers, particularly from American Heritage Bank, and a similar level of support would likely be necessary to bring the event back.
Residents, businesses or organizations interested in helping are encouraged to reach out to the city to discuss potential involvement.
For now, Sapulpa’s fireworks future remains uncertain—but the conversation has officially begun.
Watch the full interview and more on this episode of the Timeloop: