City of Seaside changes 4th of July event location

UPDATE: The City of Seaside’s 4th of July spectacular brought the Monterey Peninsula together at Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course, last year. People are still talking about it. ” T hat was very fun. We really enjoyed it, ” said Seaside resident, Graciela Witt.

The city planned to host a similar event this Independence Day. Up until last night, it was set to happen on the lawn at city hall, but an appeal filed to the California Coastal Commission has shaken things up.

Seaside announced, Wednesday, that the event has been moved back to Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course. Some residents said they’re not too upset about the change. ” I think it’s a good location because there is more space. You can park along the road and walk there. Over here, there isn’t enough space for it, ” said Witt.

Those who filed the appeal are likely celebrating too. The California Coastal Commission told KION that nearby Monterey residents, who filed the appeal, were concerned with traffic and clean-up.

Seaside City Council Member Dave Pacheco said hosting the event at city hall would have reduced the cost by nearly half and provided a more central location for residents. ” It’s closer to the community for the residents. There’s more accessibility for residents. At Bayonet and Black Horse there were a large amount of people and they had to walk miles upon miles, ” said Pacheco.

The city has less than a month to relocate the event, but families said they still plan on being there. ” It’s fun for the family. We bring snacks and blankets, ” said Salinas resident, Carolina Mendoza.

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Fireworks lit up the sky in Seaside at their first 4th of July show, last year. The city plans to keep the tradition going, but not without a twist.

The city announced this week that the event will not be held at Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Course, but on the lawn at City Hall. ” It’s the same format. Everything will be the same. There will be great music and activities, ” said Seaside City Council Member, Dave Pacheco.

Pacheco said the city got approval from the California Coastal Commission to launch the fireworks from Laguna Grande Park.

Some Monterey residents have appealed the decision. A statement from the California Coastal Commission states that nearby residents are concerned with traffic and clean-up.

Pacheco said the city stands by their decision to host the celebration at City Hall. ” It provides a beautiful background of the lake and City Hall. It has all the things that bring people together, ” said Pacheco.

Last year, the event cost the city around $125,000. This year, the city said they will save nearly half of that by moving to City Hall.

Another reason the city chose to switch the location is because it is central to many residents. They encourage people to walk to City Hall the day of the event. They believe this will help alleviate traffic and parking issues.

Despite the controversy, some peninsula residents said they are on board. ” It’s always hard to predict how things are going to go. I think it’s best to just try them out, ” said Pacific Grove resident, Thomas Roberts.

” As long as they have something for the population of Seaside, I’m happy, ” said Seaside resident, Jeff Manely .