Lighting system failure causes delay at Columbia Fire in the Sky event

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia's Independence Day celebration, Fire in the Sky, experienced a lighting system failure around the 13-minute mark of the 20-minute firework display Tuesday night at Stephens Lake Park.

J&M Displays was the company hired for the celebration. Columbia Parks and Recreation has used them in the past.

"They had experienced a failure in their lighting system. They also normally have a backup system that will help to avoid that issue, but that also failed," Columbia Parks and Recreation Director Gabe Huffington said.

The display was up and running again after 15 minutes, according to Huffington.

The total cost of the firework display was $25,000: $22,500 was paid for by sponsorships and the remaining $2,500 came out of the Columbia Parks and Recreation operating budget, according to City documents.

"For the most part, we had a fantastic event. This was one of our biggest fire in the sky celebrations that we've had to date," Huffington said.

Huffington said around 10,000 people attended the event.

J&M Displays has been in close contact with Columbia Parks and Recreation to ensure this does not happen again in the future.

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