EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- East Longmeadow’s Fourth of July will look different again this year. For the second year in a row, the town’s fireworks show is being replaced by a laser light show and residents who grew up with those fireworks aren’t happy about it.

The fireworks show was initially cancelled because of construction at East Longmeadow High School. It left the town with no space that met the requirements for a safe firework show: a flat, open space with no overhead wires or trees and far enough away from a residential area.

Even after construction is finished, the show is unlikely to return to the Independence Day celebrations. “Oh, that would be awful because this town loves the fireworks,” said Marian Herrick of East Longmeadow.

The replacement, a 30-minute laser light show, isn’t measuring up for many residents. “I mean, it’s not fireworks, let’s face it,” Herrick said. “Yes, we were tempted to go to fireworks, but we were never tempted to go to the laser show.”

The fireworks show’s return is in doubt for numerous reasons, including the lack of a location and the cost compared to the new laser show. “The cost to run the fireworks, obtain a separate insurance rider for protection against any problems with the fireworks, and also some other factors, are probably three times more expensive than having a laser light show,” said Adele Hill, an East Longmeadow Rotarian.

The laser show is scheduled for July 3 at Mapleshade Elementary, before the annual Fourth of July parade the next day. The East Longmeadow Rotary Club has the full week of events up on their website, with it all kicking off on June 24.

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