Fireworks likely to fly freely

After rain and lifted bans, fireworks sellers say sales have been brisk. And residents say they're ready to celebrate.

By KATHERINE BLOK

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 4, 2000

SPRING HILL -- With afternoon showers returning and fireworks bans lifted, residents are getting ready to celebrate a noisy Fourth of July.

A sales tent on U.S. 19 near Forrest Oaks Boulevard saw a steady flow of customers Sunday, manager P.J. Downey said.

"It was slow up until people realized it's July," Downey said.

Downey, who works with Tampa-based Galaxy Fireworks, said he expects to sell $40,000 worth of merchandise during the two weeks he has taken off from his regular job to guard, take inventory and sell fireworks.

Because of the drought and fireworks bans, which were lifted in Hernando on June 21 and in Brooksville last week, Downey said he was worried that he would not be able to sell fireworks, something he has been doing every summer for "a few years now."

While shopping for fireworks with his son on Sunday, Brooksville resident Bill Hobaugh said his children were "out doing the rain dance every day" so they could celebrate Independence Day with fireworks in their yard.

Debbie Franzone, of Spring Hill, said she will be armed with a fire extinguisher and a hose when her family sets off fireworks today. Some people in her neighborhood launched a bottle rocket last year that landed in an open field and started a fire, she said, so she won't be taking any chances.

Despite fireworks bans throughout the state, Galaxy Fireworks president Sharon Hunnewell said business should be back to normal.

"We are starting to get back on track, (and) things are starting to pick up," Hunnewell said. "A lot of business seems to be coming in now, when it's normally spread out. We're mobbed out here."

Galaxy has three sales tents in Hernando County and 70 statewide.

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