Hoover’s Hometown Days Fireworks Cancelled

Date: July 27, 2012
Contact: Pete Swisher, [phone]

WEST BRANCH, IOWA- Due to extremely dry conditions in eastern Iowa, including at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, the August 4 fireworks display scheduled to conclude the Hoover's Hometown Days celebration has been cancelled. Hoover's Hometown Days is the annual celebration of the birth of Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States.

Long-term weather conditions in the area required park superintendent Pete Swisher to make the cancellation decision. The fireworks launch location is directly adjacent to the national park's tallgrass prairie, grassland highly susceptible to fires during dry periods. "It would be irresponsible and pose a significant fire safety risk to allow the fireworks show to proceed as planned given these drought conditions," Swisher stated.

Swisher considered several factors before making the determination, including the current weather conditions, recommendations from National Park Service wildland fire specialists, and burn bans within both Cedar and Johnson counties. Swisher also said he has been consulting with West Branch city officials and the West Branch Fire Department about the potential need to cancel the display.  

"I hope people will consider coming to the Presidential Library and Museum's east lawn area to enjoy the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band and laser light show as this year's celebration closes," Swisher said. The laser light show represents a new attraction this year not previously a part of the Hoover's Hometown Days celebration, and will be synchronized with music performed by the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band.

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum are in West Branch, Iowa at exit 254 off I-80. Both are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Parking is limited so please allow extra time to find a parking space. For more information go online at www.nps.gov/heho or call [phone].