SUMMERDALE, Ala. — Despite Monday’s brainstorming session, the Summerdale Town Council did not come up with many new ideas for a Fourth of July celebration.

One thing that won’t be a repeat from last year is stunt rider Bubba Blackwell’s performance at his hometown festivities that night. During its regular meeting, the Council agreed to pass on his proposal to perform for a second year in a row, with a show that would be televised on the Discovery Channel to honor Blackwell’s 20th anniversary in stunt cycling.

During the Council’s regular workshop last week Mayor David Wilson said Blackwell had approached him about performing in Summerdale on the Fourth of July. At that time, he said prices started at $20,000. However, Monday he said Blackwell agreed to cap the price at that amount and for the town to just decide what objects they would like for him to jump with his motorcycle.

During both workshops, the Council agreed not to spend such an amount for the holiday celebration. This prompted resident Marilyn Vishway to voice her opposition during Monday’s proceedings.

“You say Summerdale is open for business,” she told the Council. “You have to spend money.”

Wilson then enlisted Vishway to head up a project to gather sponsors to fund having Blackwell perform on a date other than the Fourth of July.

The Council also opted not to spend funds on anything other than fireworks, which got a budget increase of $5,000 from last year’s $3,500. This seems to be in conflict with the purpose of Monday’s special-called meeting to improve Summerdale’s Independence Day festivities.

“A lot of people are wanting to do something really nice in Summerdale,” Councilman Travis Townsend said at last week’s regular workshop.

At that time Councilwoman Norma Wilson Giles said she had come across Mississippi-based vocal trio, Dave’s Highway.

“They’re a YouTube sensation,” she said last week, adding that her research had revealed the group could be booked for $1,500. The trio performs country, gospel and Contemporary Christian music, .

Upon Monday’s revisit of that idea, Mayor David Wilson said too many variables were involved with putting on an outdoor concert.

Other ideas discussed Monday included showing an outdoor movie. In addition, the Council debated whether they wanted to have activities that would attract others from out of town or just Summerdale residents.

According to Councilwoman Mary Carolyn McDaniel, attempting to attract out-of town visitors on the Fourth of July would be unsuccessful.

“I spoke to a promoter,” she said.

The discussion ended with the Council agreeing to launch the fireworks at 9 p.m. and invite residents to have family time at the park beforehand, notifying area churches and organizations of the plan. Area bands would be invited to perform throughout the day at their own expense.

The decision came after the special workshop took an unusual turn about 40 minutes into the session, when a cameraman and reporter from a television station walked in on the proceedings. Upon their arrival, Wilson simply got up, left the municipal meeting and followed them out of the Council chambers for an interview while those in the meeting were left to wait for his return.

Although the mayor did come back a few minutes later, order wasn’t completely restored in the workshop as numerous conversations among both Council members and those in the audience made following one topic impossible.

Order was restored at the top of the hour when Wilson announced the start of the regular February Council meeting.