By Avery Taylor | Daily Press Writer
Thursday, the Artesia Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Jaycee Park.
The show will begin when the sky is totally dark, likely around 9 p.m., according to Jessica Bollema, the Assistant Director of the Chamber of Commerce. The show will include choreographed music, which viewers can hear by tuning into the radio stations AM 990 and FM 93.7, Bollema said. There will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 8:30 p.m.
The north gate to the park will not be available, so viewers can enter through the south, Bollema said. Extra parking will be available on the third road on the south side of the park, but the parking lots at nearby businesses will be closed to the public.
The chamber expects thousands to watch from all around the city, Bollema said.
For people wanting to light additional fireworks, there are some retail businesses selling fireworks in Artesia, some of which include Amy’s Fireworks on 1st Street, a TNT Fireworks tent in the parking lot of Walmart on 26th Street and a store on Main Street.
Artesia Fire Marshal Brenden Harvey said that the fire department has inspected all the retail establishments selling fireworks in Artesia to ensure that they are only selling permitted products. He warned that some businesses outside of the city limits may be selling fireworks that are prohibited in Artesia, so customers must be aware of the city’s ordinances.
People should not light fireworks late into the night, as this can cause a disturbance, Harvey said.
“Be mindful of neighbors and of the rest of the community,” Harvey said.
There are safety measures people should take when using fireworks, Harvey said, including reading the warning labels on the packaging.
To prevent fires, some steps people can take include keeping fireworks away from buildings, cars and other property, as well as watching for gusts of wind, Harvey said. Proper disposal, including waiting before putting used fireworks in a trash can or dumpster, can also prevent fires, he said.
“It still is very dry, obviously, so we want to keep people aware of that,” Harvey said.
Safety measures can also prevent injuries, like burns or hand wounds, Harvey said. He advised that there should only be one person lighting a firework, and that others watching should be at a safe distance away, including children. Children should not light or handle fireworks, Harvey said.
Firework users should watch for traffic and should not walk out into the road, and drivers should be on the lookout as well, Harvey said.
“Be mindful of your surroundings and where you’re at,” Harvey said.
In addition, the shipping process can damage fireworks, so users should check their products and throw them out if they are damaged, Harvey said. Otherwise, they can misfire and cause injuries or fires.
The length of firework starters can be a safety concern due to timing, Harvey said. He advised against going to check a firework immediately if it does not go off, as the starter could be longer than normal, causing a delayed reaction.
Harvey said that he and the fire department are available to answer questions about firework use, and that safety is a priority.
“Have a good time, but make sure you’re safe about it,” Harvey said.
In addition to fireworks, the chamber is holding other events this year for Independence Day. These include a Firecracker Golf Scramble, volleyball tournament, parade, cornhole and a pickleball tournament.
The parade will line up at West Main Baptist Church, and will go around Eagle Draw Park, Bollema said. There is room for more participants in all the scheduled events, Bollema said.