Pittsburgh City Council

RK Mellon grant could quadruple Fourth of July fireworks budget.

Written by Amy Whipple

Pittsburgh’s Fourth of July celebration is about to get bigger and brighter.

Council voted at its May 18 committee meeting to move forward with accepting a $630,000 grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. The grant will go toward what the legislation’s fiscal impact statement described as an “impressive event” for the city’s Fourth of July celebration.

According to legislation introduced at the May 18 general meeting, $261,800 of the grant is designated for fireworks. The city’s existing contract with Starfire Corporation was to pay $88,200 for this year’s display. If council accepts the changes, the Mellon grant money will bring the total to $350,000.

The legislation says that, in light of the country’s 250th anniversary, the city “wishes to provide an enhanced performance to properly showcase the event.” 

Earlier this week, Pittsburgh was named the number one Fourth of July celebration in the country by USA Today readers. 

Council did not discuss how the rest of the grant money, $368,200, will be spent, nor is there additional upcoming legislation listed in Legistar. Council will have the opportunity to discuss the amended fireworks budget at its May 27 committee meeting.

Connections to this story

More surveys

Have your say on more of the stories we’re covering.

Allegheny County Council

Council president removal vote expected May 26.

Allegheny County Council is preparing to remove Member Pat Catena of Carnegie from the president’s seat because of a mailer sent by his campaign for state representative.