City of Dayton apologizes for fireworks display that surprised and concerned residents

Fireworks could be seen exploding above a section of Interstate 75 that goes over the river and other parts of the city at around 9:15 p.m. The show lasted about 20 minutes.

Loud booms could be heard by residents who live in a variety of neighborhoods across the city.

Some people posted messages on social media asking what the loud noises were or expressed annoyance with the noisy spectacle.

The city of Dayton posted on social media a little before 9 p.m. that a privately funded fireworks display would be taking place this evening.

“Expect increased noise and bright lights in the area during the display,” the city wrote. “Thanks for your understanding as Dayton hosts this special occasion!”

Lexi Heironimus, 30, who lives in the Delco apartment building just south of Day Air Ballpark in downtown, said she was a little surprised when she heard the sound of fireworks on Thursday night, but she saw a post online beforehand that stated they were coming.

“It did help a little bit, because I didn’t know exactly what time they were going to go off, but I assumed that since sundown was around 9:30 that’s when it was going to be,” she said.

Heironimus has two small dogs, but she says neither were fazed by the noises. However, she said she has friends in Oakwood who were bothered by the fireworks because they did not get advance notice.

“I could see how people would be a little put off by it,” she said.

Ann Morrison, 64, who also lives in the Delco, said she thought the loud booms she heard Thursday were a thunderstorm. She said her Cocker Spaniel “Brody” was a little upset, barking and pacing, and she assumed he was reacting to thunder. But he usually isn’t troubled by storms, and he does react negatively to fireworks.

“He definitely was upset last night, so this is all adding up to me right now,” she said on Friday.

She said she wish she would have known about the fireworks display because she probably would have tried to watch it.

Morrison said in general she thinks there are bigger things to worry about than fireworks. She said she hopes to avoid any disruptions or issues this weekend that could result from the potential protests that may take place downtown.

Crystal-Dawn McKanna was watching TV at home in downtown Dayton’s Street District on Thursday night when suddenly she started to hear loud booms.

“With NATO being in town and daily protests, I thought it was an attack,” she said. “Thankfully, I live directly across from where the fireworks were.”

McKanna said she went to her living room window and watched the entire display. She said she follows all-things Dayton on social media but she did not see any notice about the fireworks until after they had started.

“While I loved the display, I wish better notice had been given,” she said.

Some Dayton residents have posted on social media that the loud, unexpected sound of fireworks exploding scared their pets or their children and caught them completely off guard. Some people said they were worried that the loud booms might indicate that something bad or dangerous was happening related to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.