Stillwater organizers overcame a contract dispute and late-season flooding to bring Wednesday's big holiday fireworks show to the St. Croix River valley.

Thousands of people will flock to downtown Stillwater to see the fireworks, fired from the Wisconsin side of the river near the Lift Bridge and accompanied by patriotic music.

The 22-minute show will start at 10 p.m. with flyovers by two jets scheduled at 8:10 p.m., said City Administrator Larry Hansen.

Stillwater was in danger of having no fireworks on July 4 after the company that had done the work complained of nonpayment by St. Croix Events, the organizer that contracted with the city to arrange the show. The City of Stillwater canceled its contract with St. Croix Events last fall and negotiated directly with the fireworks vendor, RES Specialty Pyrotechnics of Maple Plain, Minn.

Oak Park Heights also contributed money to pay for the fireworks this year.

"We're hoping for a pretty nice show," Hansen said. "We're trying to make sure this year's is the best we've ever had."

Riverfront flooding has subsided substantially, he said, allowing for public viewing in Lowell Park from the gazebo south, he said. Some land north of the gazebo remains flooded.

Kevin Giles • 651-925-5037 Twitter: @stribgiles