Tents officially open for firework sales
Today is the day for all those fireworks enthusiasts in the area.
July 1 marks the day firework tents are now open and selling merchandise.
“All of us in the fireworks industry are excited,” Central City Fireworks owner Becky Presley said to KZRG “July 1st is finally here. That’s when everything gets to open up. … We get to start seeing the old familiar faces that come in and look forward to coming to visit us every year to celebrate their Fourth.”
With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, it’s a good idea to know your city’s fireworks ordinance. For Joplin, fireworks can be legally sold from July 1st to July 4th, and they can be discharged within the city limits on those same dates between the hours of noon and 11:00 p.m. However, there are restrictions, including a ban on bottle rockets and Chinese lanterns.
In Carl Junction, fireworks can be discharged July 1st through 5th, from 9am to midnight. Webb City’s fireworks ordinance says they can be lit between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. July 1 through July 4th.
In Carthage, fireworks can be discharged from June 30 to July 5, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.. The City also allows for a special extension until 1:00 a.m. on July 4th. Fireworks are not allowed in the Municipal Park at any time.
For Neosho, fireworks sales are permitted from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. through July 5. Fireworks can be discharged from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from July 1st to July 10th, with extended hours until midnight on July 4th. Only Type 1.4 fireworks are allowed, excluding bottle rockets.
“The tent situation in fireworks, it just feels like the old way to do it,” Presley said. “It’s an old American tradition that you buy your fireworks from a fireworks tent, and it’s just a lot of fun to get in there and get to see all the fireworks out in the open. The tents are a great deal. … We love our return customers. We love that they share with their friends where they shop and that they’re happy with their experience.”
If you’re a novice to the world of fireworks, no worries. There are several different types of fireworks to sort through when shopping, including but not limited to: firecrackers, sparklers, snakes, tanks, chickens, novelty fireworks (for kids), fountains (shoot close to the ground), 200 gram cakes (multi-shot aerials, reach 40-50 feet), 500 gram cakes (multi-shot aerials, similar to 200 gram but larger), preloaded artillery shells, girandola cakes (UFO-like, with multi-shot aerials and a UFO effect at the end), individual UFOs, parachutes, parachute cakes (with multiple parachutes).
If you have any questions, ask an attendant. In fact, it’s a good way to find a reputable firework dealer to shop.
“Most of the places you’ll be able to tell real quick if it’s a really knowledgeable staff that can help you with how to shoot the firework, what performance it’s going to have and the best safety precautions to take,” Presley said. “Just make sure you check with the staff. Most of them are very knowledgeable and they can help you with anything you need.”
