MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee's July 3rd Lakefront fireworks celebration has been canceled this year. 

The city's parks department cited a lack of funding as the reason for cancelation. 

The event brings in 100,000 people each year.

The show was back for two years after it took a break because of the pandemic. 

Milwaukee County Parks director Guy Smith said potential donors have raised concerns about rising costs. The county said that the event costs $370,000 to put on each year. 

The parks department had to subsidize funding last year. The costs typically outweigh the revenue from the event. 

“We have been working for the past year with dozens of different donors and sponsors and by late winter/early spring. We knew we weren’t making any progress,” said Smith. “By mid-May, we knew we didn’t have the dollars, we couldn’t secure the vendors for this event and so that’s why we’re coming to you now.”

The parks department is also dealing with $5 million dollars in deferred maintenance. Smith said they are putting resources into other amenities that will benefit more people. 

As for the future July 3rd fireworks shows, Smith said he believes the event has run its course.