PETA Urges National Cherry Festival, TC Boom Boom Club To Cancel Traverse City Fireworks Shows

A major animal rights organization is urging both the National Cherry Festival and the TC Boom Boom Club to discontinue their fireworks shows in Traverse City, both this weekend and going forward.

In a letter sent late last month to Kat Paye, Cherry Festival executive director, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) suggested that the festival “consider canceling the fireworks display…and switching to alternatives such as visually stunning drone or laser shows.” Such a pivot, PETA argues, “would allow noise-sensitive domestic animals, wildlife, and veterans with PTSD to experience a quieter and less stressful event.”

“As you may know, fireworks are truly the pits for animals—and their use has devastating consequences,” PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wrote in her letter to Paye. “Terrified dogs and cats often frantically struggle to escape the chaos by climbing, breaking, or digging their way out of wherever they are. July 4 and 5 are the busiest days for the intake of stray animals at shelters nationwide. Many dogs arrive with bloody paws or broken bones, and some are never reunited with their families. Others don’t even make it to shelters—they’re hit by cars or strangled when their collars become caught on fences.”

Newkirk also outlined concerns about the effect fireworks can have on wild animals, and even on some humans.

“Startled birds have abandoned their nests and crashed into homes, windows, and each other,” she wrote. “Scientists studying waterfowl discovered that in reaction to fireworks shows, the birds fly en masse to dangerously high altitudes and stay aloft for as long as 45 minutes, leaving them exhausted and vulnerable. Fireworks also produce smoke and dust laden with toxic particles that harm the respiratory systems of humans and other animals. In addition, veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder can be deeply disturbed by the noise of the explosives and the smell of gunpowder”

Traditionally, the National Cherry Festival has closed out its final day of programming with a fireworks show above West Grand Traverse Bay. The festival also pays for 50 percent of an annual Fourth of July fireworks show held in the same spot, splitting the cost with the TC Boom Boom Club. Notably, those events will occur on consecutive nights this year: this evening will see the TC Boom Boom Club's Independence Day fireworks show, while tomorrow night, July 5, will mark the Cherry Festival’s grand finale display.

In addition to her leadership role with the Cherry Festival, Paye also serves as vice president of the TC Boom Boom Club. PETA asked Paye to use her influence with that group to “encourage fellow board members” to cancel the Fourth of July fireworks, as well.

Beyond the letter, which PETA shared with local media in a press release, the organization has also bought ad space on a billboard near the intersection of US-31 and South Airport. “When fireworks fly, animals die,” the billboard proclaims, a message PETA says will be displayed there through July 20.

PETA also sent Paye an “fireworks terrify animals” noise button (pictured), which Newkirk wrote in her letter “plays some of the dreadful sounds drowned out by fireworks—like fearful dogs crying, tires screeching as drivers try to avoid wildlife like deer who have panicked and run onto roadways, and the thuds of disoriented birds colliding with buildings.” Also included: a pair of earplugs, “as a kind reminder that, unlike humans, animals don’t have the option of preparing for these blasts.”

“The National Cherry Festival already has so much to offer, and compassion is always in season,” Newkirk’s letter concluded. “Please consider canceling fireworks displays and hosting drone or laser shows—which are quieter, safer, and blossoming in popularity.”

“The National Cherry Festival endeavors to communicate the Festival schedule as soon as possible, so that everyone can plan accordingly for all events,” Paye told The Ticker in an email when asked for a response to the PETA letter.

“The TC Boom Boom Club does its best to educate and inform the community and visitors of the fireworks date and time,” echoed Trevor Tkach, Boom Boom Club president, in his own email. “We want everyone to be prepared for the show.”

Speaking to The Ticker last year about the Fourth of July fireworks display, Tkach said the show costs approximately $70,000 to produce, involves some 1,820 “pyrotechnic items,” and relies on 30-40 volunteers and months of planning and fundraising to pull off.