Post-Midnight Fireworks Rile Minneapolis Residents
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Since the Home Run Derby started late, it ended late and fireworks from an All-Star Gala didn't go off until after midnight.
The fireworks were near the Mill City Museum in downtown Minneapolis, and they woke up many people.
Several of them voiced their complaints on Twitter:
Seriously Minneapolis? A major fireworks display at 12:30am on a weeknight? Who authorized that brilliant idea? You owe me coffee tomorrow
— Eric Colleary (@ecolleary) July 15, 2014
The Purge #Minneapolis: setting off fireworks at 12:30am on a week night is now legal.
— Zen G (@GrahamThoughts) July 15, 2014
Either some idiot with the ASG thought fireworks at 12:30 at night was a good idea, or Minneapolis is being invaded by force.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) July 15, 2014
Ironic: #bragMpls theme for Tues is "Move" http://t.co/IuL47lSUr9 Which is what ppl do if city OKs secret private fireworks after midnight
— Chris Steller (@chris_steller) July 15, 2014
The City of Minneapolis said that the vendor did have a permit for the fireworks, and also had a permit from the Coast Guard to shoot over the river.
The fireworks were set off near the Stone Arch Bridge just before 12:30 a.m., following an invitation-only All-Star party and concert at the Mill City Museum.
The plan to shoot fireworks overnight was also discussed at a recent Mill City Neighborhood meeting, though according to reports it was supposed to start before midnight.
"It was a surprise to folks, totally understandable. It was permitted, but larger than what anyone anticipated, so we are looking into how that happened," Mayor Betsy Hodges said.
The MLB issued a statement on Tuesday, saying: "When planning for this once-in-a-lifetime event, we had numerous meetings about the All-Star Gala with the Twins and Minneapolis Parks and Rec Board to create a memorable event that would be a showcase for the City of Minneapolis while being respectful to residents. While the entities agreed to conduct a light fireworks display at midnight, the show that the fireworks vendor executed was louder and longer than what we were expecting. Major League Baseball and the Twins apologize to area residents for any inconvenience."