The Denver Area Business Association has sponsored a concert and fireworks show preceding Independence Day for 23 years. It was missed one year because of COVID, but what may end the show isn't a disease but a new football field.

We understand that DABA representatives were told in September that they might not be able to use David Clark Stadium at East Lincoln High School in 2023 because construction would be underway on the new artificial turf field. North Lincoln High School got an artificial turf field in 2022. It was late in being available for play forcing the Knights to play several games that would have been home games at their opponents' fields. A state grant funded that field and money for installing artificial turf at the other three Lincoln County high schools was included in this year's state budget.

Lincoln County Schools also told DABA representatives that they wouldn't be allowed to use the stadium after the artifical turf was installed for fear that the event would damage the turf.

A meeting involving DABA reps and School Board chair Heather Rhyne & vice-chair Christina Sutton was held in the office of County Manager Davin Madden, but we knew nothing about that meeting (or that the event might be canceled) until early December. DABA reps then asked news media representatives to publish an article about the dilemma.

Not satisfied just to tell the story, this reporter both asked questions of a number of people and sought any possible solution to the problem. None was found. NC State Rep. Jason Saine said he understood the fireworks, chairs of spectators, heavy equipment used for the musical performance, etc. might cause damage to the new turf. Others lamented the possible loss of a major event, but none offered any possible alternative.

The DABA leaders said they were told they might be able to move it to a location adjacent to North Lincoln Middle School; but a lack of infrastructure wasn't the only problem there. A neighbor was upset that their field might be used for parking and that wasn't going to happen. A nearby farm with horses presented another obstacle since the fireworks would be a problem for the animals. That possibility (using North Lincoln Middle) was dismissed as unworkable in less than 24 hours.

We were also told at that early December meeting that Lincolnton might not be able to have its July 4th fireworks show at Lincolnton High School Stadium. Laura Morris, City Community Relations Director, confirmed that the fireworks, although ignited on the practice field and not inside the stadium, still produce some ash falling onto the field and will have to be moved further away for 2023; although the City is still hoping to use the stadium for spectators to use the bleachers but the fireworks will have to be exploded at a greater distance from the stadium. All of that is still to be worked out.

Maria Dunn of DABA told this reporter that finding a place for the fireworks is still possible--but the festival that has been a part of the event and the music show just can't find another location.

At the meeting with DABA, this reporter questioned the possibility of moving the event to Lincolnton. County Commissioner Bud Cesena had indicated already that such a move wouldn't work: "This is an East Lincoln event." The Denver area businesses who sponsor it have set up booths and used the event to promote their businesses. Lincolnton has accomodated a crowd as large or larger for the Apple Festival and music shows at Alive After Five during Summer months; but most of those with whom we talked--DABA representatives, elected officials, etc.--don't think that such a move would be possible.

In previous years, the announcement about entertainers at the event for that year has been made in January. To book better-known entertainers requires several months advance notice. Even if another location could be found, it will soon be too late to book entertainers for an event this Summer.

As for another location, there just isn't one. Not only does the County not own any possible alternate site, no other possible location has been found after three months of intensive searching.

The Rescue Squad Park lacks sufficient parking and traffic considerations make it unsatisfactory for an event that large,and oh, by the way, the County is installing artificial turf there, too.

So it appears now that this event has come to an end. DABA would love to hear from anyone with any possible solution to the problem. For now, it doesn't appear likely that one can be found.