Littleton's Main Street Block Party Cancelled For 2019

LITTLETON, CO – Disappointment reigned supreme when it was announced that Littleton's June 8 Main Street Block Party had been cancelled this year.

Historic Downtown Littleton Merchants hosts the annual fireworks and festivities. But this year, a permit fee for fire department coverage spiked to $1,600 from the traditional $150, according to the party's organizer, Greg Reinke, co-owner of Reinke Brothers costume shop and president of the Historic Downtown Littleton Merchants.

South Suburban Fire Rescue, which in January incorporated Littleton Fire Department, raised the fees, Reinke told 9NEWS.

"Why is it $1,000 to see the fireworks show? Why does it cost that?" Reinke asked rhetorically in an interview. "Show me why you’re charging $1,000 for something another fire department can do for $150."

South Metro Fire Marshall Anthony Valdez said the event would need a special events permit and a a pyrotechnic display permit which together would cost to $1,600, the station reported.

“It came as quite a surprise to learn that the Block Party was cancelled,” said Littleton Communications Director Kelli Narde in a statement. Narde said the city had “no idea a cancellation was being considered."

In the past, the city has donated overtime for police, fire and public works staff to work at the event, to the tune of $18,310 in 2018. The city was planning to spend $16,593 this year, Narde said in a press release.

"It’s really disappointing that our residents and our downtown merchants will miss out on this fun, community event,” Mayor Debbie Brinkman said in a statement.

The city still plans to host other outdoor events such as three Little Jam concerts in Bega Park, the Littleton Twilight Criterium, the Candlelight Walk and the Elf Crawl.

Western Welcome Week has notified the city that all of its events will go on as planned in August, the city reported.