The City of Sequim is seeking public opinions about the city’s festivals, events and even fireworks displays in a survey that can be found on the city’s website at www.sequimwa.gov. The survey responses will help guide city officials as they plan, support and improve future community gatherings. The survey asks if the respondent is satisfied with the city’s Sunshine Festival, the Independence Day Celebrations, if the city should even continue hosting an Independence Day celebration and if so, if the city should include fireworks in Independence Day celebrations.

The survey comes at a time when several local organizations are advocating for a ban on commercial fireworks displays within the city limits, primarily to protect wildlife and the environment.  Three local environmental non-profits, the North Olympic chapter of the Sierra Club, Protect the Peninsula’s Future, and the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society have all issued official statements on the question, and are encouraging community members to share their thoughts on the city’s survey.  All three groups are advocating replacing fireworks with drone shows and relocating events away from sensitive wildlife areas to better protect the environment and residents. All three groups are encouraging the community to weigh in with their own thoughts, whether they support fireworks displays, or not, and express their opinions on why or why not on the matter.  The survey can be found on www.sequimwa.gov.