Happy 4th of July!

I was telling our Joan about the fireworks stands that had been going up in my part of the world a couple/few weeks ago and I got the feeling that she didn't believe me when I told her how fireworks are used as a fundraiser here.  (Fireworks are illegal in her part of the world and that may have added to her disbelief that churches would sell fireworks to make money.)

That photo?  In the parking lot of the local park, which is kitty corner across the street from that high school.  There's also a shipping container off to the left that I'm guessing is used for storage for the fireworks.  (I was driving by at 8.30 this morning and they were already up and ready for business.)

This one is in a church parking lot and is for some kind of youth ministry or something.  As you can see, they are just setting up for the day.  Please note the RV/camper in the background.  That's where those folks slept last night.  Also see the lady sitting in the shade just to the left of the blue and white sign.  She didn't even blink when I stopped in the middle of the road to take that photo.

(Because of how many fireworks stands are robbed every year, most of them have people living on-site until the selling is over and done with.  Just imagine how much fun that must be.)

This is the one I told Joan about the other day and I doubt she believed me.  Not only have they taken over a parking lot, but, on Friday, there was a huge fire truck in the parking lot.  Not on a call.  Just hangin' out.  My tax dollars at work.

Just to show you how common theft is at fireworks stands, here's the google search for stolen fireworks in my area.  I was complaining the other day that those thefts are so common, they shouldn't really qualify as news anymore.  One of those 'same thing happens every year' deals.

I keep hoping someone will smarten up and outlaw fireworks because they are so much trouble waiting to happen.  However, as long as they are used as a fundraiser, that's not going to happen.  Doesn't mean I have to like it, though.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got Tour de Fleece spinning to do.

May your Sunday be safe, sane and quiet.

Comments

[Christy]

I think I'm going to blame you for my ordering of a drop spindle and some roving. If I order a wheel, I'm going to have to come hunt you down! :)

[datagoddess]

we're hiding out inside today.

Indiana used to have everything but sparklers outlawed, but you could buy most anything. You had to sign a statement that you were taking them out of state to set off. They finally gave up that farce a few years ago.

[Carole]

Fireworks aren't allowed in Massachusetts. Of course, that doesn't mean people don't go over the line into NH and buy them anyway. Oy.

[CindyCindy]

Fireworks are outlawed in St. Louis, but in the adjoining county they are legal. Pointless? You bet. We don't have as many thefts as we have burned down fireworks tents;-P Happy 4th and I'm almost ready to start on my Tour de Fleece spinning.

[Paul]

Happy Indepenence Day!

[Anne]

At the entrance to my neighborhood there are 3 gas stations, 2 functioning and one defunct. The defunct one hosts a fireworks stand every year. They put up their pop up tent and tables for selling and have the shipping container for storing them overnight. Not fundraising, just lining someone's pockets.

We don't buy any, but one of the neighborhood kids has a July 4 birthday and her parents host a HUGE BBQ the culminates in a nice fireworks display we can see from our driveway. They did it yesterday and I swear it went on for half an hour!

[joan]

Fireworks are not legal here but I'm going to hose the roof down in a few hours since 3-6 neighbors will be shooting them off.

Plus we will be able to see the fireworks that are set off (legally) in at least 3 different places.

Next you have to tell me what a Fundamental High School has that a regular one doesn't.

xo

[Squishy]

Or safe, sane and consensual.

muwahhahahahahahaha

*ahem*

::: whistles and walks away:::

[Diane]

We get half a dozen big fireworks tents that spring up around the middle of June in our county. After 25 years I still have never been inside one. I thought about going to get sparklers this year, just for fun, until I read how hot they burn. I don't think so.

Happy Fourth sweetie!

[Janice]

This is our first 4th here in Livermore, CA, and fireworks are a no-no. Looking forward to seeing how many people in our neighborhood blow that off. For the last 6 years, we lived in Camas, Washington where fireworks were not only legal on the 4th, but for several days before and after. (One of the very, very few things I didn't like about living there! Sent the dog over the edge.)

Happy 4th, everyone!

[margene]

Similar firework stand dot our landscape, but they can only sale a few select types, such as nothing over 15' off the ground, no cherry bombs or firecrackers. People drive to WY to get the illegal types (and alcohol, but that wouldn't be me, no ma'am, not under any circumstance,truly not me).

[sil]

Apparently fireworks in my town are legal as long as they don't explode or fly through the air. What does that leave? Sparklers?

Of course I'm working, so fireworks here in this part of ATL are usually just gunfire :)

Happy fleecing!

[Marilyn]

Most fireworks are still legal here. 3rd DS is our biggest fan of fireworks. We can usually count on him to give us a show.

Happy 4th of July to you and happy spinning too!
xo

[Beverly]

weird.... they are illegal here too

[Nora]

Huh. You see those stands (permanent ones) driving to Florida on I-75 through some of the southern states. Never thunk about it in California.

xo

[Joansie]

In Vermont we have different "levels" of fireworks. If caught we some, it's a felony. I've yet to hear of someone ever being arrested for having them.

[Sarah]

I have mixed feelings about the fireworks. However, the feelings are strong and not mixed when the fireworks are happening at 3:30 a.m.

Ah, but we survived, had fun, and have another year to prepare for it to happen again.

xo

[Kitten]

Tour de whatnow?

[Christina Scovel]

How is your tour coming? Hitting your goals?

[Doris]

They are illegal here in Baltimore too....doesn't stop anyone. And I can't figure out how they can be illegal and still have stands set up to sell them?! We were at a cookout on Sunday and I stayed in the house while the hosts set them off cause I hate them so much. I love the real fireworks though, and caught them down at the Inner Harbor. Of course that was after I spun 2 oz for the Tour.

[Mike]

That's crazy! They are illegal here, too. If I saw one of those stands in a church parking lot I'd probably faint. Then take a picture. :)

Next you are going to tell me they sell guns door-to-door in your area. It's like the Wild West. :)

[opal]

i wish they'd ban fireworks here too. there was a huge brushfire 5 mins from there that got a few yards close to some homes. of course the brushfire was started by fireworks.