TRIADELPHIA — Ohio County commissioners have decided setting off Independence Day fireworks at The Highlands overlooking flood-stricken Triadelphia and Valley Grove is inappropriate at this time, and the county instead is going to donate the money that would be spent on the rockets’ red glare to flood relief efforts.

Fireworks set for July 5 at The Highlands are canceled.

“We just didn’t feel good about having a celebration at this point,” County Administrator Randy Russell said. “So we’re going to take the money we intended to pay for fireworks, and we’re going to donate to the flood relief victims.

“We’re planning to have something later in the year after we get through cleaning up from the disaster and getting people back to their lives.”

He noted the fireworks were expected to cost about $30,000.

“We’ve had a number of organizations that have donated money toward flood relief, and we’re just planning on adding that $30,000 to that and start getting money out to help the victims with food, clothing and housing…whatever is needed,” he said.

The Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant also has events slated for July 5 in conjunction with the fireworks.

“I think they’ve already committed to that, so they are going to continue to have that at Quaker Steak and Lube,” Russell said.

The restaurant plans to have an ice cream truck on site, a bounce house, a foam party, and music from the Jake Binegar Band and DJ Daner.

Plans for other events and attractions at The Highlands this summer are being determined, according to Russell.

“We felt that with all the other displays in the area that the $25,000 to $30,000 that would be spent could be put to a better use,” Commissioner Don Nickerson said. “That’s why we decided to do what we did.

“We’ve talked about getting entertainment up there for later in the summer. Not right now, but maybe later…maybe some music,” he added.

Some in the flooded communities express disappointment at the move.

“I think you should keep them; people need a reminder that there’s still joy to be found, even in the toughest times,” Bruce Kirby said on Facebook.

Resident Holly Wheeler Flack, whose home was destroyed in the flooding, offered this: “Ohio County has cancelled the fireworks in the Highlands for July 5th. As a flood victim myself, lost my house and car. We need these couple of hours at The Highlands, watching fireworks and being with family and friends, while celebrating the 4th of July. We can also celebrate the community. Please bring it back.”