City Parks on the northwest side of Newton may be used to host the 2025 Pyrotechnic Guild International Fireworks Convention August 9-16. In a 5 to 1 vote Monday night, Newton City Council members approved a request to use Woodland Park and the “Tee Ball Fields” on the north side of Union Cemetery as a  camping site for the event. The nearby Adult Softball Complex would be used for the nightly firework displays, while Agnes Patterson Park would be used for parking. Newton City Councilman Randy Ervin chairs the PGI Newton Committee, which is attempting to secure the convention. The committee estimates the convention’s economic impact on the city would be between $2-million and $3-million, with 1,700 visitors using 800 hotel rooms and 350 campsites and eating and shopping at local restaurants and stores. Several residents who live in the area objected due to the noise, including Jeff Stark.

“I would just like to know if anyone on this City Council would like these fireworks going off in their backyard at night.”

Ervin says the PGI Convention Board will be in town this weekend to look at the proposed sites. Newton hosted this convention last year at Iowa Speedway, but the speedway is not available this year due to a scheduling conflict.