Opechee Park may host circus, fireworks
The circus — and possibly the city's annual Fourth of July fireworks, too — may be coming to Opechee Park next year.
Since 2009, the fireworks have been held in the downtown, a concession to the fact that the city has invested heavily in new playing fields at Opechee Park and didn't want to risk their getting trampled under foot by the many visitors who'd be expected to turn out for the display.
This past July 4, while the fireworks were fine, the holiday parade preceding them was, as organizers conceded, somewhat disappointing.
Following a call to the community, the city's American Legion post stepped up and joined with the Kiwanis Club and other groups to "enhance" the patriotic holiday in 2011 by bringing the Kelly-Miller Circus of Hugo, Okla., to Opechee Park next July 2 and 3.
The proposal was presented to the Laconia Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 20 and was continued until Oct. 18 after questions were raised about the potential damage that might occur from heavy vehicle traffic on the Opechee fields, which has an in-ground irrigation system.
The idea of the circus has prompted discussion and division on the City Council, some of whose members worry about what could happen to the fields while others worry about excluding the public from public fields.
All sides agree that they want a resolution that serves the city best and that ultimately, they want the fireworks back at Opechee Park.
Mayor Mike Seymour said she spoke with Don Vachon of the Wilkins-Smith American Legion Post 1 on Monday afternoon and that Vachon "understands the city's concerns" and "he just wants to bring a quality event to the city and we agree with him."
Seymour said a representative of the Kelly-Miller Circus — whom Vachon in an e-mail to The Citizen identified as general manager Jim Royal — would come out to Laconia on Oct. 18 to inspect the feasibility of Opechee Park as a venue. Royal would attend the parks and recreation commission meeting that evening where he'd make a presentation and answer questions.
"The combined committees are planning great improvements to bring our Laconia citizens back to enjoy Opechee Park one and again, including bringing the fireworks to the lake. Many, many plans are coming together," Vachon wrote.
Ward 5 Councilor Bob Hamel, who initially questioned the wisdom of having a circus on the Opechee fields, said Monday he is willing to hear what Royal has to say before making up his mind.
A request to use Opechee Park for most purposes first needs the approval of the parks and recreation commission and then the city council.
For Hamel and also for Ward 6 Councilor Armand Bolduc, the matter at hand is how to get the fireworks back to Opechee — and to maybe even host a circus there — without ruining the fields but while celebrating America's birthday.
Since 2009, the fireworks have been held in the downtown, a concession to the fact that the city has invested heavily in new playing fields at Opechee Park and didn't want to risk their getting trampled under foot by the many visitors who'd be expected to turn out for the display.
This past July 4, while the fireworks were fine, the holiday parade preceding them was, as organizers conceded, somewhat disappointing.
Following a call to the community, the city's American Legion post stepped up and joined with the Kiwanis Club and other groups to "enhance" the patriotic holiday in 2011 by bringing the Kelly-Miller Circus of Hugo, Okla., to Opechee Park next July 2 and 3.
The proposal was presented to the Laconia Parks and Recreation Commission on Sept. 20 and was continued until Oct. 18 after questions were raised about the potential damage that might occur from heavy vehicle traffic on the Opechee fields, which has an in-ground irrigation system.
The idea of the circus has prompted discussion and division on the City Council, some of whose members worry about what could happen to the fields while others worry about excluding the public from public fields.
All sides agree that they want a resolution that serves the city best and that ultimately, they want the fireworks back at Opechee Park.
Mayor Mike Seymour said she spoke with Don Vachon of the Wilkins-Smith American Legion Post 1 on Monday afternoon and that Vachon "understands the city's concerns" and "he just wants to bring a quality event to the city and we agree with him."
Seymour said a representative of the Kelly-Miller Circus — whom Vachon in an e-mail to The Citizen identified as general manager Jim Royal — would come out to Laconia on Oct. 18 to inspect the feasibility of Opechee Park as a venue. Royal would attend the parks and recreation commission meeting that evening where he'd make a presentation and answer questions.
"The combined committees are planning great improvements to bring our Laconia citizens back to enjoy Opechee Park one and again, including bringing the fireworks to the lake. Many, many plans are coming together," Vachon wrote.
Ward 5 Councilor Bob Hamel, who initially questioned the wisdom of having a circus on the Opechee fields, said Monday he is willing to hear what Royal has to say before making up his mind.
A request to use Opechee Park for most purposes first needs the approval of the parks and recreation commission and then the city council.
For Hamel and also for Ward 6 Councilor Armand Bolduc, the matter at hand is how to get the fireworks back to Opechee — and to maybe even host a circus there — without ruining the fields but while celebrating America's birthday.
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