FIREWORKS BUSINESS READY TO HAVE A BLAST

Patriotism is the big theme for 1993 fireworks, and with Cape Girardeau observing its bicentennial year, sales are expected to be brisk when more than 20 retail outlets open operations Sunday.

Headlining the list of new items available this year are the "Color Me America" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

"Both of these items are multi-shot fireworks featuring red, white and blue colors," said E.C. Younghouse of Younghouse Distributing Co. Inc., Interstate 55 and Highway 74 in Cape Girardeau. "We feel they will be hot sellers between now and July 4."

The "Wild Thing" is expected to be another big item.

"This is a family assortment, which includes a lot of Roman candles, sparklers and several multi-shot items," said Younghouse. Also on the list of new items is the "Nutty Monkey," which provides bright light flashes.

"Quake, The Big One," returning from last year, may also be a popular item. "The Quake made its debut last year," said Younghouse. "It was a popular item then, and I think it'll be popular again this year."

Younghouse, whose firm sells fireworks retail and wholesale throughout a 100-mile area, said fireworks enthusiasts will have their choice of more than 250 items this year.

"Fireworks stands can open Sunday," said Harold D. Kuehle, Cape County collector.

State and county dates for selling fireworks are from June 20 to July 10 and Dec. 10 to Jan. 5.

"Each incorporated town, however, may establish its own selling dates within the state dates," said Kuehle. "State, county and city licenses are required for those operating fireworks stands."

In Cape Girardeau and Jackson, fireworks sales are permitted from June 20 through July 4.

This marks the first year that sales can start before July 1 at Jackson. City officials there previously allowed fireworks sales from July 1-4.

As many as a dozen locations are expected to open fireworks sales stands in Cape Girardeau. Six to eight operations are expected at Jackson. Fireworks retail operations add a sparkle to the area's economy, not only in additional retail sales, but in providing two weeks of part-time employment.

There are usually about 2,000 fireworks retailers scattered throughout the state.

Firecracker sales have been permitted in Cape Girardeau only nine years. The city council approved the sale and discharge of firecrackers for the 1985 Fourth of July season.

"Vendors are reminded that they must obtain a city, county and state license," said Kuehle.

The county licenses are available from county collector's offices at Jackson and Cape Girardeau. "Our offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday," said Kuehle. City licenses are available from various city permit offices.

State licenses are available by contacting the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, P.O. Box 844, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102.

The Cape Girardeau permit office reports that application forms were already being picked up.

Missouri is one of 29 states where Class C fireworks are permitted to be sold. That includes such items as sparklers, fountains, spinners, bottle rockets and firecrackers.

A total of 13 states ban all Class C fireworks and nine states allow only sparklers and other novelties. That includes Illinois, where people are permitted to discharge only sparklers, smoke bombs and a few other small novelty items.