SEDLEY—Sedley Recreation Association has canceled Wednesday’s Fourth of July fireworks display.

Association Chairwoman Anita Felts said the state now requires certifications for the community’s volunteers responsible for shooting off the fireworks. None of them have that certification.

“We’re going to have them later in the summer,” Felts said.

A company out of New Castle, Pa., traditionally sells the $3,000 to $3,500 fireworks package to the recreation association. The Fourth of the July is the company’s busiest day of the year so someone is not always available to shoot off the fireworks.

“Our guys had done it for years,” Felts said.

The certification costs $100 and requires passing a test.

“That is not the real issue,” she said. “I think it’s just the guidelines are a lot stricter.”

By late summer, the fireworks company can send someone to Sedley to shoot off the display.

Felts checked with other companies, but some require a minimum purchase before they will provide someone to shoot off the fireworks.

“One said their minimum was $12,000,” she said. “That was too much. We tried to check with other companies. We didn’t want to leave any stones unturned.”

Sedley hosts the fireworks as part of its daylong Fourth of July celebration, which includes a parade, veterans’ celebration, Cornhole tournament, car show, children’s games and a co-ed softball game.

The recreation association holds fundraisers and accepts donations for the fireworks.

Last year’s fireworks were delayed until July 5 after nearly 2 inches of rain fell in parts of Western Tidewater on the Fourth of July. In 2010, dry conditions from a lack of rain led to the cancellation of fireworks.