Published: July 01, 2009 10:28 am      

Local fireworks stand sees steady patron flow

Fireworks stands are exploding onto the summer scene, as July 4 rolls around and Americans celebrate their independence by shooting explosives into the night sky.

One of those stands, Mr. W Fireworks Inc., is located on East Highway 82 just outside of Gainesville’s city limits.

This fireworks company covers a lot of ground, and has developed into more than an old-fashioned roadside stand. Mr. W Fireworks is an air-conditioned facility and also operates as an outside booth next door to the building.

The fireworks building is operated by local volunteers from the First Assembly of God church, which is down the road from the Mr. W location, and the outside stand is operated by oil field worker, Dan Ryan.

This stand opened on June 24 and it will operate from 9 a.m. to midnight until July 4, which is its last day of business for the Summer.

“We see about 20 to 25 customers a day”, said volunteer Evlin Beavers, “We will probably see more business on the second, third, and fourth.”

According to the staff at the stands, families are the predominant purchasers of the fireworks, and volunteer, Jerry Eliott said, “We get some people coming in from Forth Worth when they pass by.”

According to Elliot, Mr. W Fireworks Inc.’s biggest seller is the item known as “pop pops”, which are noise makers that are thrown on the ground to create a popping sound like a firecracker.

Dan Ryan, who operates the smaller fireworks stand next to the building, made the decision to work at the stand for the extra cash flow, and this is his first year to operate at a fireworks stand. When asked about his customers, Ryan said that most were families and that he keeps an eye out for safety when it comes to children.

“We watch what younger moms and dads are buying for their younger kids”, said Ryan.

Ryan and another employee, Don Upchurch said that they will probably see 500 to 600 customers this season and he expects business to increase as July 4 approaches.

Ryan said they have some different products like the water firecrackers that are waterproof and will work when submerged in water. The “Bad Ballistic” is a family pack item priced at $190, and Ryan said, “We have sold just one of those.”

The weather has also increased the amount of business that the fireworks stand has seen.

“There is no burn ban, right now”, said Ryan and, “The rain has helped out, because it lessens the chance of a fire.”

Ryan also mentioned that fire safety is taken seriously with fireworks stands.

“The Fire Marshal is staying on top of it”, said Ryan.

Gainesville’s Fire Marshal, Jody Henry spoke out on the issues that accompany fireworks stands and the rules and regulations that must be followed in order to have a stand that operates in full compliance with the city and county laws.

“A fireworks stand must be located 5,000 feet away from city limits”, said Henry.

Henry also provided fireworks related statistics that focus on promoting safety on the 4th of July.

According to the United States Fire Administration, “In a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported on July 4 than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires.”

Henry promotes fire safety as the city’s Fire Marshal and he said, “I encourage local city and county members to come to the fireworks display on the 4th of July at Leonard Park in Gainesville rather than buy their own fireworks, because it reduces the risk of creating potential fires. This way, they can get more bang for their buck.”