Location announced for 2027 Idaho Falls Independence Day firework show
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IDAHO FALLS — The city of Idaho Falls announced its plans for a 2027 fireworks show to commemorate Independence Day, filling the gap left by the longstanding Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, which was held for the final time in 2026.
At a news conference outside City Hall, Idaho Falls Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw and Bonneville County Commissioner Jon Walker announced that the city and county have selected a new location for the show.
The show will remain close to the river, on a parcel of land just south of Freeman Park and north of John’s Hole Bridge.
For the past 33 years, Melaleuca has hosted its annual Freedom Celebration, but in June, Melaleuca Executive Chairman Frank VanderSloot announced that 2026 will be the final year. Melaleuca partnered with Ball Ventures to move the celebration to Snake River Landing in 2017.
VanderSloot said that the property that has been used for the event is now being developed into housing and industry.
“When we received that bit of news, it was actually a heavy day in the city of Idaho Falls,” Burtenshaw said. “We want to thank the VanderSloot and the Ball family for the decades that they have sponsored the fireworks. We know this has been a labor of love for them.”
Burtenshaw said that this will be a trial run for the property and for the city as a whole.
The property is leased to the city for one year, allowing the city to manage it. The location will allow for large aerial fireworks, and the goal is to have a show similar to the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration.
“We are going to find out whether this is as great a location as we think it is,” Burtenshaw said. “We’re just really excited to be bringing this location back into the heart of the city.”
Burtenshaw said the city will seek sponsors for the fireworks show. With Fourth of July in 2027 falling on a Sunday, Burtenshaw said the city plans to host the fireworks show on Saturday. The city hopes for its partners and sponsors to fill the weekend with festivities for community members and visitors to enjoy.
Along with the county, the city announced it will partner with the city of Ammon, the Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce, Idaho Falls Art Council, Museum of Idaho, The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, the Idaho Falls Farmers Market and other local organizations to plan the event.
Burtenshaw said there will be planning to help visitors exit the fireworks show area, but there will be no official parking location.
As before 2017, when the fireworks show was located at the John’s Hole Forebay Park boat dock, she said portions of Riverside Drive, River Parkway and Memorial Drive will be used to encourage folks to walk, bike or find another way to get closer to the launch site.
“It’s time for the community to come together and continue with traditions that we’ve all grown up with,” Walker said.