HOLYOKE — Fireworks are coming to Holyoke.
The city has announced that its annual Fourth of July fireworks will take place on Friday, June 24, at 6 p.m. If there is rain that day, the event will be pushed back to June 25.
The fireworks are scheduled to take place on the grounds of Holyoke Community College.
“We encourage everyone to come early to enjoy the music, food from a variety of vendors as well as many children’s activities,” Mayor Joshua Garcia’s office said in a statement.
Vendors who want to participate should call the Parks and Recreation Department before Wednesday, June 22, for a permit application. The department can be reached at 413-322-5620.
The fireworks display is scheduled to start at dusk.
Holyoke will be holding its annual citywide trash cleanup on Saturday, June 25, starting at 10 a.m.
The event is organized by OneHolyoke Community Development Corporation and the office of Mayor Joshua Garcia. Supplies, tools and guidelines for collecting trash can be found that day at OneHolyoke’s Flats Community Building at 43 North Canal St. beginning 10 a.m.
Anyone wanting to get an early start on the pickup can make arrangements with OneHolyoke by calling Nayroby Rosa-Soriano at (413) 409-2004.
In a statement, Garcia’s office urged Holyokers to take part.
“The trash clean-up day is literally citywide,” the office said. “Residents and homeowners throughout Holyoke are encouraged to clean up their yards, alleys and lots.”
Early Tuesday at around 2 a.m., Holyoke police say they responded to reports of automatic gunfire around 95 Lower Westfield Rd.
On arrival, police found 18 spent casings in the road, though there were no reports of damaged property or injured people.
The incident is the latest in a spate of gunfire reported by city residents. Last week, police responded to 729 High St., where it was reported that a man was seen indiscriminately shooting rounds into the air. In that case, officers entered the apartment building there and arrested three men on drug and firearm charges.
The incident comes after police responded to reports of gunfire on River Terrace on May 14 to find six bullet casings. The next day, the owner of the home at 15 River Terrace reported that his home had been struck by the gunfire. On May 14, police also arrived at 96 Brook St. after receiving calls that the building had been “shot up.” There, they found two homes damaged by gunfire, with bullets shot through a window and wall.
On May 6, there was another report of shots fired at 859 Main St. There, gunmen were alleged to have sped away in several different cars after “haphazardly shooting their weapons into the air with no regard for the safety of Holyoke citizens,” according to Holyoke Police Capt. Matthew Moriarty.
In all such incidents, Holyoke police have urged residents with information to use the department’s anonymous “text-a-tip” line. Those with information can text “solve” plus their message, including the city where they live, to the number 274637. They can also reach the department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau at (413) 322-6900.
Dusty Christensen can be reached at dchristensen@gazettenet.com.