Statement about discontinuation of fireworks at the Abingdon Community Christmas Extravaganza

Statement about the Abingdon Community Christmas Extravaganza ‘23

There will be a change to the format of the finale of the Abingdon Community Christmas Extravaganza this year. Over the past ten years there have been fireworks at the end of the evening just after the Christmas Lights were switched on. Last year there was powerful feedback from residents, councillors and members of the community to request that fireworks no longer be a part of this event.

Feedback stressed a number of key factors:

1. There were a number of emails about how stressful fireworks can be for wildlife and pets. These were from residents of the town centre and also from those walking their dogs on local footpaths. The organisers had put out publicity about the fireworks to warn pet owners but there was no guaranteed way to ensure that everyone was aware, and anyway not all owners could arrange to remove their pets to a different location at the exact time.

 2. A number of messages to the organisers also focused on the damage that fireworks can do to the environment, including air pollution and the risk to the ancient buildings in the town centre.

3. Some people also commented that Abingdon is already well-served with summer and Guy Fawkes firework displays at the airfield and there is no need for Christmas to include yet more of this as it is not a traditional part of Christmas and was only included in the Extravaganza in recent years.

Overall, the organisers received emails, facebook comments and personal feedback amounting to a significant wave of opinion against the idea of fireworks as part of this event.

The organisers agree that the town centre location is a difficult place to hold a firework display without upsetting residents and businesses. Due to the need to project the firework display above the buildings so that they can be seen from the Market Place, it is necessary to use the really powerful fireworks which are unfortunately also the most likely to disrupt the life of residents, cause pollution and upset animals.

For the 2023 Extravaganza we will be trying out an alternative entertainment based on community videos which will be shown on a new feature, a stage with a video screen at the back. More details of this will be published soon. We hope that this will deliver a finale that is as fun and engaging as fireworks and perhaps even more personal to Abingdon and more relevant to the community.

The Extravaganza committee would like to thank Illusion Fireworks for their support in previous years and in particular for the provision of free fireworks last year. Abingdon residents who are keen to see a fireworks display in the near future should check out the Illusion Fireworks website to find out when their next public event is being held on the airfield.

https://www.illusionfireworks.com/