NPCL Insurance saves the fireworks show

A story in the June 13 edition of The New Prague Times reported that it appeared there would be no Fourth of July fireworks display in the skies above New Prague this year.

A lot of people were disappointed, but one New Prague area business decided to do something about it.

New Prague-Ceska- Louisville Mutual Insurance Company (NPCL) has stepped up to sponsor this year’s fireworks show. Due to the late booking, this year’s fireworks show will be held on Friday evening, July 5.

John Glisczinski, president of NPCL, said he had talked to a lot of people who were disappointed after reading in the newspaper that there would be no show. “We had a board of directors meeting on Monday (June 17) and I brought it up.”

Carol Weiers, manager of NPCL, said board members agreed it was a sad thing to have happen. “We agreed to keep the tradition alive.”

“We decided to make this investment in our community so we can keep the great tradition of fireworks in New Prague for young and old to enjoy,” said Glisczinski.

Weiers said the next four days were a flurry of activity in getting through all of the steps needed to host the show. That evening she talked to her neighbor Steve Coman, who is one of the owners of RES Specialty Pyrotechnic, located in Union Hill. The next day she got a call from one of the other owners, Erv Haman, and they put things together pretty quickly.

“They told us right from the start they couldn’t do it on the third or the fourth, they were already booked and busy those nights, but they said it would work on Friday.”

While disappointed at first, Weiers said it actually gives area residents the opportunity to see fireworks on three consecutive nights in the area, with Lonsdale having their show on the Wednesday and Veseli on Thursday.

Weiers said they next went to the city for approval, and inspected the site that had been used in the past.

“We’re thinking of looking for a different site in the future, but it was too late to do that for this year.

“We wish we had a little more time to organize it, but the city has been wonderful to work with and we’re excited about it,” Weiers added.

Staging area for the fireworks is near the athletic fields north of New Prague Middle School, with the main viewing area in the athletic fields east of the school. The show is scheduled to start at 10:10 p.m.

Tom Goetzinger of TRG Productions will be playing music at the viewing site. Weiers said she wasn’t sure if there would be any food vendors there, due to the late notice.

“We’re excited to be able to continue this tradition,” Weiers added. “It will be a fun evening.”