Company at center of canceled fireworks displays says refunds can be ‘handled through proper legal process’

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (KMIZ)

Several Mid-Missouri communities will be without their traditional Fourth of July fireworks displays this year after their fireworks vendor filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The City of Osage Beach, the Mexico Noon Lions Club and Lake Valley Golf Club in Camdenton were all affected. The Lions Club and Lake Valley Golf Club had to cancel its displays, while Osage Beach moved its whole July 4 celebration to July 11.

All three parties had contracts with fireworks supplier AM Pyrotechnics. Arkansas communities were also affected.

The Mexico Noon Lions Club announced its cancellation on Thursday, saying it had worked with AM Pyrotechnics for many years before learning the company would be unable to fulfill its contract. The Lions Club treasurer told ABC 17 News on Thursday that she did not know if or when the club would be refunded.

AM Pyrotechnics said in a statement that it is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after a November accident at one of its facilities severely disrupted its operations.

CEO and owner Aaron Mayfield wrote in a Friday statement that the accident affected manufacturing, inventory, staffing and its ability to complete every scheduled fireworks display. Mayfield claimed in his statement that the company worked to save as many Fourth of July shows as possible, but ultimately canceled some events when it determined they could not be completed safely.

In a statement, the company apologized for the late notice, saying organizers were notified as soon as final decisions were made. It added that payment, refund and other financial matters related to canceled shows are now being handled through the bankruptcy process.

"The reason for the timing is that we continued working in good faith to save as many displays as possible until it became clear that certain shows could not be completed safely and professionally," Mayfield wrote. "Once those final determinations were made, affected clients were notified and my Chapter 11 counsel was copied so payment, refund, claim, and bankruptcy-related issues could be handled through the proper legal process."

Visitors in Osage Beach on Friday shared their dismay with ABC 17 News.

"It's really a bummer because I was really looking forward to that, and who doesn't love fireworks in America?" visitor Messiah Williams said. "I love that loud boom."

Though Osage Beach is having a later celebration, some visitors on Fridau said celebrating after the holiday won't feel the same.

"You schedule it for next week, it's not going to hit the same," visitor Derick Maldonado said. "People aren't going to have days off. It's not going to be appreciated as much as it would be for July 4."

AM Pyrotechnics claims it has completed other fireworks displays this season and continues to operate regional shows.