On the one hand the Chicago fireworks on July 3rd is a unique tradition.  Where else do they have a big fireworks display on the 3rd?  It allows everyone to stay out late to watch the fireworks and still get to work on the 5th.  It’s unique and part of what it means to celebrate in Chicago. It also meant that a lot of suburban folks could make it down and celebrate in the City on the 3rd and still be in their community on the 4th.  In our city neighborhood we traditionally have our block party on the 4th, but many of us would go downtown for the big display the night before.

Further, there is something powerful about community celebrations that bring us all together.  The lawn of Grant Park was nothing if not a spectacular melting pot of all that is Chicago, city and suburbs.

I’m sure the security is an issue for events like this.  The last several years have seen some violence and even shootings during or immediately after the fireworks.  Further, the huge crowds and press to get on the trains and busses must seem like an easy target for a terror attack.

How then could what is good about the event (the unique July 3rd date, the melting pot, a way to celebrate together) be preserved and still meet some of the city’s goals for cutting costs and reducing security risks?

Spreading out the celebration is the easiest way to reduce the security risk, but we lose the essence of all of us celebrating together.  While I don’t want to be arrogant and say, “We have to have this celebration, we need to just find a way to make it secure.” I’m also aware of the irony in canceling a celebration of our country’s founding out of fear of terrorist attacks.

When I mentioned this in my recent newsletter I received several comments about getting sponsors to reduce the cost.  People questioned the lost revenue for the downtown businesses and the effect that has on the overall budget equation.

Will Chicago’s decision be a case study for how slashing your budget can solve an immediate problem while creating a long-term problem at the same time? Or, will it be be heralded as one of the greatest cost-cutting moves/compromises of all time? What do you think?