Following concerns about residents and/or visitors being irresponsible with fireworks during Purdy’s annual Independence Day celebration held on July 3 the city is looking at ways to amend its fireworks ordinance to increase safety during the event.
Purdy Fire Chief Nick Mercer said the city’s current fireworks ordinance prohibits residents from setting fireworks off within 100 feet of buildings.
“I would like to make it 300 or 400 feet,” Mercer said.
The fire chief explained that during the Purdy Fireworks show, local authorities and the Terry family, which hosts the event and operates a fireworks stand at The Gathering Place in Purdy, struggled to keep people from lighting fireworks off near the fireworks stand and in large crowds of event-goers.
Ken Terry said one issue he attempted to address at the July 3 event was that people were lighting smoke bombs in and around the crowds who had gathered to listen to live music and eat grilled hot dogs offered by the Terry family.
Mercer said Purdy firefighters had several instances of residents and visitors setting off arial fireworks like mortars or Roman candles above the gathered crowds.
Purdy Police Officer Russ Nichols said the current city ordinance requires that residents are safe with their use of fireworks and must be well away from any fireworks booths. He also said that firefighters, while they do not have authority to write citations or make arrests in regards to the use of fireworks, do have the authority to confiscate fireworks if they are being used inappropriately or unsafely.
Mayor Brian Bowers said he reviewed the fireworks ordinance from Bolivar, which prohibits the use of fireworks within 500 feet of a building or “gathering.”
Bowers said he believes it will be important to include wording in the ordinance that prohibits the use of fireworks in crowds, and at least 500 feet from the Terry Family Fireworks booth.
Mercer said 500 feet from the fireworks stand would ensure that those gathered directly adjacent to the stage, or nearby parking lots where crowds gather for the fireworks display.
Bowers said the goal of the ordinance will not be to outright prohibit community members and visitors from lighting their own fireworks during the Purdy Independence Day celebration, but to ensure that those who chose to light their own fireworks do so in a safe area away from the fireworks stand and the crowds of people who gather in Purdy.
Terry asked if a new fireworks ordinance that requires fireworks be at least 500 feet from buildings would require that he find a new location for the annual fireworks display.
Bowers said the city will reserve the right to write a permit or otherwise give the Terry Family permission to host the annual event.
