City invites community to Melissa Sparks and Spangles

Inaugural event lights up the sky on July 2

MELISSA (June 16, 2021) Melissa’s celebration of the 245th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence, titled “Melissa Sparks and Spangles,” is set for Friday, July 2 with a fireworks display that will feature colorful bursts that rise up to 700 feet in the air. The new celebration was first announced in the weekly Melissa Minute resident newsletter in April, disclosing that as soon as plans were in place, the City would share the details.

                “Our fireworks show vendor has upgraded the size and capacity of the propellant shells as well as the pyrotechnic mixture in the shells to produce fireworks displays that rise higher in the sky and produce larger blooms and flourishes,” said Melissa City Manager Jason Little. “The result will be a fireworks show that can be easily seen from a larger area.”

                The inaugural Melissa Sparks and Spangles show will feature shells measuring six inches in circumference, capable of producing multicolored blooms from 200 to 700 feet in the air. The six-inch shells are double the size of those used in 2019, which produced blooms rising only half as high. To put this height into perspective, the tops of the water towers in Melissa rise approximately 165 feet in the air. 

                The launching of the shells will be in the vicinity of City Hall, one of the highest topographical points in the City, giving most residential neighborhoods the ability to clearly see the significantly higher level of bursts. 

                “The larger shells will allow residents from most neighborhoods to find areas away from buildings and large trees to enjoy the show,” added Little. “At the time the City had to make a determination on the scale and scope of this public event, the State of Texas had not determined the state to be reopened. Therefore, the City confined this year’s celebration to a fireworks-only show, increasing the height of the fireworks so more people could enjoy them from their neighborhood parks. Going forward, the City intends to plan and hold a full scale event beginning next year.”

                Scheduled to start between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., depending on the level of light still apparent, the show is scheduled to last almost 30 minutes. City officials recently conducted a site survey using both drone footage and on the ground line-of-sight positioning from various locations to confirm the show can be seen from many locations in Melissa. 

                Public locations that will offer excellent views include: City Hall Plaza, 3411 Barker Ave.; Melissa Middle School, 3150 Cardinal Dr.; and Zadow Park, 3001 McKinney St (SH 5). 

                City-owned locations, as well as those belonging to the Melissa ISD, do not allow alcohol or glass containers on their premises. Lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, and insect repellant are encouraged. “We’re looking forward to a great show on July 2,” said Little. “In the future, we will add other events and activities to our celebration, making Melissa Sparks and Spangles one of our signature communitywide festivals.”