FIREWORKS PERMISSIBLE FOR NEW YEAR IF YOU CAN FIND THEM

Where do you find fireworks in December?

This is a question making the rounds this week following actions by city officials in Scott City, Jackson and Cape Girardeau to allow fireworks to be discharged for a brief period as the 20th century ends and the 21st century starts.

There could be some slim pickings on the local fireworks scene.

Fireworks sales will not be allowed in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, and, to date, county commissioners haven't discussed sales in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties.

Scott City officials say they will permit sales in the city 15 days prior to the new year, but as late as Wednesday evening there were no takers. That leaves "Boomland"

"We have fireworks," said a spokeman of Boomland, which has locations at Benton and Charleston. Boomland has a special Missouri "Jobber's License" to sell fireworks throughout the year.

In fact, Boomland has some special millennium fireworks packages for revelers, including a champagne bottle loaded with "party poppers," and a "2000 Firecracker" package loaded with 2,000 firecrackers, and a confetti bomb.

Although Missouri law does allow the sale of fireworks from Dec. 20 through Jan. 2, city ordinances have prohibited sales in the past.

"The state allows two sales seasons during the year," said Jim Wilson, deputy chief investigator for the Division of Fire Safety, a division of the Missouri Department of Public Safety, Jefferson City.

Fireworks retailers have to purchase state, county and city licenses for the annual June to July 4 sales period. "Those licenses are also good for the Dec. 20-Jan. 2 sales period, as long as the operators keep the same location," said Wilson.

County and city officials can set their own selling dates within the state dates. But, this year marks the first time that immediate area residents can set off fire-works during the late-year period .

People here can touch off fireworks one hour on New Year's Eve, from 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31, to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1.

Missouri is one of 29 states that permit fireworks. As many as 2,000 fireworks stands are in operation in the state each year during the June-July season.

When the council first discussed the issue, the resolution included selling fireworks during the New Year's holiday. Because weather conditions had been incredibly dry last summer and fall, the potential for fire was a concern.

People in Cape Girardeau can touch off fireworks one hour on New Year's Eve, from 11:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1.

Although Missouri law allows the sale of fireworks from Dec. 20 through Jan. 2, city ordinances have prohibited sales in the past.

Fireworks sales won't be allowed in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, and, to date, county commissioners haven't discussed sales in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties.

Scott City officials say they will permit sales in the city 15 days prior to the new year, but as late as Wednesday evening there were no takers. That leaves Boomland.