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Patagonia’s 4th of July fireworks display needs to be quieter
Once again as a resident of Patagonia, I am looking forward to this year’s beautiful fireworks display with great anticipation. Each year the show is wonderful, magical, and beyond expectation. It is sure to please the youngest as well as the oldest, each of us watching with wide eyes and unabashed delight.
However, I would suggest that we consider one small change to the display. This change will no doubt be controversial to some and will even make others question my patriotism. But I think it is time to consider a firework display that has no, or minimal, loud booms—essentially a visual display without the auditory component.
You may first be asking yourself why this type of change might be desirable for our community (who would benefit), and second, how much more would it cost (compared to the normal display).
The answers to the first question are multiple. Certainly, regular fireworks displays create and/or add to noise pollution. And many people whom I’ve spoken with over the years and in many different communities have related horrifying and sad tales of their pets, mainly dogs, but also cats, horses, etc., who are terrified by the loud sounds of the fireworks. Several people have to hide their pets in a ‘safe room’, give them tranquilizers, or play louder music indoors to cover up the noise outdoors. My own childhood was marred by the sight of our beloved collie trapped in our canning room in the basement, surrounded by dozens of broken pickle jars on the floor—apparently, our ‘safe room’ wasn’t so safe after all.
There is little data that I am aware of as to the reactions of wildlife to the noise of fireworks, but you can guess that the deer, javelinas, coyotes, and the many beautiful Patagonia birds are rather upset. Unlike us, they have no idea what is causing the awful sounds and they can only hope that they will end soon, but they really have no idea. Just imagine their fear.
Finally, there are many sensitive individuals in our community, such as infants, young children, and the elderly who, for many varied reasons, are traumatized by the loud noise of fireworks. They too may not understand if the noises will ever end. It is really an unfair and fearful situation to them, as well. But it does have a solution.
Then, there is the second question—the cost. Granted, regular fireworks cost enough, and we are a lucky community to have the resources to put on such a beautiful display each year. But I suggest that we need to expand our moral compasses a bit to consider the trauma caused to our pets, to all the wild animals in the area, and to the young and the elderly who are sensitive to noise and change. I believe the extra cost of low-noise fireworks, whatever it may be, is worth the investment. We may need to shorten the overall time of the display, but life will go on.
Please join me in pushing for a quieter fireworks display next year and in all subsequent years. Many will thank you, who can, and many others, who cannot, will have a much more peaceful holiday—something we all really want.
Joe Ciofalo
Patagonia