Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields broke the news to the F.C. City Council this Monday that the City’s long-standing tradition of providing the community with a free fireworks show every July 4 is ending right now, such that there will be no show next week. He added it is unlikely that there will be shows in the future, as well.

Concern for the maintenance demands of pricey artificial turfs on the athletic fields at Meridian High School was given as the reason. Fireworks shows have gone on, based at the high school complex, to the delight of local and area families and residents for upwards of half a century, with interruptions only due to extraordinary circumstances.

This year, the installation of new turf on the baseball diamond was given as the reason for calling off the show, and Shields then added that ongoing maintenance at the high school fields means that it is unlikely there will be shows going forward.

He noted that, nonetheless, the annual July 4 public reading of documents seminal to the founding of American democracy, an event always hosted by the F.C. Village Preservation and Improvement Society, will provide locals with a way to celebrate the nation’s birthday. That event will be held in the historic church building on the campus of the Falls Church Episcopal Church on the 4th at 11:40 a.m.

Other fireworks shows in the area on July 4 are led by the massive show on the National Mall in D.C., followed by shows at the Marine Corps War Memorial, the Netherlands Carillon, downtown Manassas, Mt. Vernon, Signal Hill Park in Greater Manassas, Fairfax City High School, Yeonas Park in Vienna, Turner Farm Park in Great Falls, Langley High School in McLean, the Workhouse Arts Center, and the Oronoco Bay Park in Alexandria. Most include live music, festivals, rides, vendors and concessions, and one in Fairfax City includes a parade.

Other developments at Monday’s F.C. City Council meeting were highlighted by the unanimous vote to create the Tinner Hill Cultural and Historic District around the neighborhood where the first rural chapter of the NAACP was formed.

Proclamations were read and commented on, a first in recognition of Disability Month, a second declaring July 2024 as Parks and Recreation Month and a third honoring the milestone of David Snyder’s 30 years of public service as a member of the F.C. City Council.

Snyder read a statement of appreciation for the declaration, saying, “In a larger sense it should be considered a recognition of all citizens and their families who have come forward to serve on City Council, the School Board, the Planning Commission, every other board and commission, and every citizen who has otherwise given of themselves to this community.”

He added, as presented in the written version of his remarks that he provided the News-Press, “In the early days I was extremely fortunate to have been schooled in local government by the people, including the publisher of the News-Press, who literally created the Falls Church we know today. Many had lived through the Great Depression, helped defeat Nazi Germany in World War 2, and continued to play important roles in national and international forums. Locally, they embedded in our fabric of government the values of excellent public schools and a responsive and effective local government that strives to do everything well with a strong commitment to public safety, environmental, cultural, historic and neighborhood preservation, high ethical standards and regional leadership.”

The City’s new Public Information Office director, City resident Mary Catherine Chase, was introduced to the Council by Shields.

An update on the City’s bike master plan was provided, including two walking tours this week (today’s debarking at 6 p.m. at S. West and Parker), it was noted that City Treasurer Jody Acosta has been elected president of the Virginia State Association of Treasurers, and a lengthy update on actions of the Richmond state legislature was provided by Deputy City Manager Cindy Mester and her department intern Alex Li. They reported that 845 bills were passed in the recent session, and 201 vetoed by the governor.

In particular, there were gains made in the effort to limit the practice of “predatory towing,” further allowances for automated enforcement at high-trafficked intersections, and the use of religious properties for affordable housing.

The Council unanimously adopted the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to create a Tinner Hill Cultural and Historic District.

Tinner Hill Foundation founder Ed Henderson noted the roles of Councilman Snyder and U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly in acquiring the land on which Tinner Hill educational efforts now sit, and Nikki Henderson cited the 11 ethnic restaurants that are in the newly-formed district.

Vice Mayor Deborah Shantz-Hiscott noted the great achievements of the foundation’s annual music festival, colorful murals (including the one that adorned the cover of the News-Press last week), Council member Erin Flynn noted 2024 as the 60th anniversary of the first African-American to graduate from integrated Falls Church City Schools, Council member Marybeth Connelly underscored the importance of the designation, and Council member Justine Underhill recognized the Tinner Hill’s music festival, mural unveiling and Juneteenth celebration last week.

Mayor Letty Hardi concurred with “the hard work” that the foundation has done in the City, adding, “When we know better, we do better.”

The Council unanimously approved annual compensation terms for the City Manager, City Attorney and Clerk.