The traditional Eastsound Fourth of July fireworks look like a no-show at this point, according to Chamber of Commerce director Lance Evans.

“All signs indicate that it’s not gonna happen,” said Evans.

He found out two weeks ago that Chehalis-based Eagle Fireworks, which has supplied the show for the past 20 years, had mysteriously removed all of the necessary firing equipment from the barge. Since then, the company has failed to return Evans’ repeated phone calls, emails and faxes, and offers of more money have been to no avail. Although he has contacted “every other licensed fireworks company in the state,” none are available.

He said the chamber has had an “unwritten agreement for over 20 years” with Eagle, which supplies the Deer Harbor and Friday Harbor shows as well.

“In my four years here … it was simply known that we had a set budget every year (of $5,000); there was no discussion of ordering the show, it was simply done year after year after year,” said Evans.

Evans was notified of the equipment removal by Orcas Island resident Karl Petree, the licensed pyro-technician who normally conducts the show for Eagle Fireworks.

Deer Harbor harbormaster Marc Broman believes the problem may be rooted in US. Department of Homeland Security fireworks storage requirements. In past years the fireworks for both Orcas shows were kept in approved storage on Lopez and brought over by barge just before the events. But Lopez didn’t hire Eagle this year, and Broman said that two weeks ago they discovered that they would not be allowed to use the Lopez storage.

As a result, Eagle fireworks hired a landing craft (San Juan Marine Freight) that will pick up their fireworks on July 2 and leave after the show. Unfortunately, such a move isn’t a likely option for Eastsound’s July 4 show due to booked up schedules, said Broman, who added that Eagle had probably removed their equipment because they couldn’t work out another solution for the fireworks storage and transport. The firing equipment used for Deer Harbor on July 3 will be needed in Friday Harbor on July 4.

Evans said the chamber is doing everything possible to get the show back on track, and if all else fails, may possibly create an alternative July 4 community event.

“It may be too late to actually orchestrate that,” he said. “It’s just very sad for the community and not fun for the Chamber of Commerce at all, to say the least,” said Evans.