Fourth of July celebrations are back this year after being cancelled because of the pandemic last year. But police and fire personnel are urging citizens to leave the fireworks to the professionals. One of them is Danville Fire Chief Don McMasters….
Audio Player{AUDIO: ‘’They’re trained. They’re certified. They know how to legally fire off the fireworks, and safely fire them off. They’ve paid the fees and done the certifications to get the stuff. And then they can get the appropriate legal stuff to fire. So it’s best to let them do it.’’}
Of course Danville sits on the border with Indiana where numerous types of fireworks can be purchased. But Chief McMasters notes there are few fireworks that are legal in Danville….
Audio Player{AUDIO: ‘’Here in Danville, and in the State of Illinois as a whole, there’s very little that’s legal. Smoke bombs, the little worms, sparklers, snap-pops that you can throw down and they pop on the ground. That’s pretty much the bulk of what is legal here. The good stuff that you see in the sky – if you’re seeing them in the sky, and professionals aren’t doing it – they’re doing it illegally.’’}
Although Sparklers are legal in Danville, McMasters notes it’s dangerous for children to have them….
Audio Player{AUDIO: ‘’They’re very dangerous. For them waiving them at each other – they shouldn’t have them at all. Obviously, if they do have them, they waive them around and treat them as swords or whatever. Not only is the heat from them – as far as the possibility of them touching their hand or their body – or touching it against their clothes which might not be fire retardant and starting a potential fire on their clothes. All of those things are obviously concerns for small children,’’ said Chief McMasters during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News.
Danville Gao Grotto has rescheduled its fireworks for August 14th, and the Turtle Run fireworks are being delayed until Labor Day weekend because of the recent weather conditions. But the other activities at the July 3rd celebration at Turtle Run are taking place Saturday. The celebration includes cold drinks, burgers, brats and hot dogs, along with live music by 90’s Daughter starting at 8:00 p.m. at Snappers Landing. The Danville Boat Club is still planning its fireworks show for Saturday night, July 3rd.
More information on area fireworks displays can be found on VermilionCountyFirst.com. Look for the ‘Fireworks Finder’ on the homepage.
