For the first time in a long time, I’m not looking forward to the Fourth of July.

When I first moved to Marysville in 2000, I couldn’t believe how many people shot off fireworks. It sounded like a war zone. I had never seen or heard anything like it, and I have lived in many communities over my 60 years.

But I got used to it and really started enjoying the many blasts in the sky on Independence Day. It was quite the show.

And I mean “was.” This year, fireworks are illegal in Marysville. It is no secret that I was against the total ban. I agree there were problems. But they could have been minimized in many ways, such as by outlawing fireworks on every day but the Fourth and limiting the number of hours from say 6-midnight. That’s one day a year to celebrate our nation’s independence for six hours. I even mentioned, in an editorial, the idea of limiting the types of fireworks that could be used, such as what is done in Auburn.

But that is in the past. The City Council decided to go with a full ban. Problem is, they didn’t plan anything to replace it.

I am very concerned this year that many people who drink to celebrate on the Fourth will be driving to nearby communities to watch their fireworks shows or even go into Snohomish County or to Tulalip to shoot off their own. So along with dealing with nuisance calls, I fear police will be dealing with DUI.

What I’d really like to see is for community groups to step up and put on a Fourth of July event here, similar to what is done in Arlington.

As a member of both the Kiwanis and the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce I’d love to see those two groups involved.

Ebey Waterfront Park would be a great place for such an event. It hasn’t been used for a community event since the city’s 125th anniversary last year, and it proved to be a wonderful venue. I envision some bands playing, food trucks and the Kiwanis beer garden, along with fireworks the chamber could raise money for. There could even be a fun run along the waterfront trail, maybe even renting the new foam machine from the Arlington Running Club.

The event could run from say 5-10 p.m. so families could still enjoy some fun at home before coming. The city said last year with the Marysville Strawberry Festival so close, a public fireworks display wouldn’t be needed on the Fourth.

I disagree. It’s just not the Fourth of July, especially here in Marysville, without fireworks.

Steve Powell is the managing editor of The Marysville Globe-The Arlington Times