Fairbury City Council To Create Fireworks Committee

By Gordon HopkinsFairbury City Councilperson Kelly Davis will be heading up a fireworks committee to examine the future of Fairbury's annual Fourth of July fireworks display. The annual fireworks display has been sponsored by VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 3113 since 1945.However, the VFW advised the council they are unable to continue the tradition, due to changes in permit and certification requirements. The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) is responsible for regulating explosives, including display fireworks. Recent changes to requirements, including a test required before being allowed to operate fireworks.One possible solution is to contract with a professional service that already has all the necessary licensing. However, that does carry its own difficulties. There is the expense. In addition, scheduling can be a problem. The Fourth of July is, unsurprising, an extremely busy time for fireworks companies. By going with a contractor, the city may be forced to hold the fireworks display on another day. Both the Public Works Committee and City Council discussed the matter on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Phil Rogge, who serves on both, said at the council meeting, “Public Works met earlier and Kelly has taken it upon himself to organize a committee to do fireworks and to basically work on getting donations and, this year, we may have to as a city put some money into it. Our hope is that we can run it somewhat like Seward (County) does, where the city doesn't put any money into it and it's all community donations.”

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