Firecrackers and Ethnic culture

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What do you want to banned fireworks?This topic discussed more than 20 years, but no consensus.It is worth noting that folk experts is almost unanimously in opposition to banned firecrackers.Their opinions clearly played an important role.Although the author advocates banned fireworks, but also think cannot ignore folklore expert opinions.Because a nation needs some form of revelry, the right attitude should be: actively looking for fireworks folk substitutes.
In most of the han nationality areas, such as no other nation popular carnival activities, such as festival, diao sheep, water-sprinkling festival, seems to have become our national firecrackers most exciting activities.So, while the disadvantages of firecrackers are obvious, but if you want to ban also not easy, need to use another kind of folk custom to replace.At the beginning of the founding of new China, deafening waist drum sound once from China, this noise is enough to each person’s heart, but then not popular.At that time no one know the environmental protection, so also could not identify firecrackers than waist drum has more disadvantages.Dragon boat racing, lion dance, dragon dance and yangko are also qualified to form of carnival.I think, in general can have more than five percent of the population to participate in, and twenty percent of the cheering crowds, this activity is enough to replace the firecrackers.Dragon boat racing although restricted by water, but in the place where the geographical conditions permit can still pushing.The distribution of the han nationality region vast, different regions can carry out various forms of folk carnival, the key is to take consistent and positive attitude, don’t keep fireworks culture.To implement this alternative, still want to rely on folklore expert power.
Getting married is another important occasions point firecrackers.Marry once upon a time, in addition to the firecrackers, blowing suona.Later, fireworks preserved, does not pollute the environment of the suona is eliminated.Firecrackers can than waist drum, suona and other folk exist for a long time, probably one reason is that it does not need special technical training.But many performances during the carnival in both at home and abroad, also need certain training, that is no reason for fireworks can not be replaced.Can some people say that firecrackers to ward off bad luck, but it falls within the scope of superstition, folk experts should abide by scientific position, with these ignorant heterodox.
In a nutshell, fireworks should be banned, but should launch other folk culture to replace it.The folk custom culture also should keep pace with The Times.Because only the traveling culture, may be a vibrant culture.

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Fireworks legislation passes first hurdle in Iowa

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A bill allowing for the sale of fireworks in Iowa passed through a House panel Monday despite an overwhelming show of opposition from fire safety officials and others.

“I’m trying here to dissuade you,” said Mike Scott, an ophthalmologist from Dubuque’s Iowa Academy of Ophthalmology. “States that ban the sale (of fireworks) have much less injuries than states that allow the sale.”

He said 30 percent of fireworks injuries lead to permanent vision loss and 45 percent of those injuries involve children.

In addition to Scott, the two-lawmaker subcommittee heard from Roger Beeson of the Iowa Firefighters Association, Scott Anderson of the Iowa Pyrotechnic Association, Thomas Stanberry who was representing the insurance industry and others who opposed the bill.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, said he understood the concerns but thought the ban infringed on “Iowans freedom and liberty.” He noted 46 other states allow for the sale of fireworks being discussed in the bill.

Two people, former House Speaker Christopher Rants of Sioux City and lobbyist Scott Weiser, supported the legislation on behalf of their clients.

Windschitl said he was working on an amendment to address some of the concerns from critics.

The amendment, he said, would allow cities — but not counties — to ban fireworks in their communities, and it would institute a licensing fee for people who want to sell fireworks.

“And it they would only be for sale at brick-and-mortar shops,” he said. “We’re don’t want to see a bunch of tents popping up.”

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Wildhorse fireworks burn away worries of rain

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The rain clouds that had hugged the Blue Mountain all afternoon had finally moseyed over to Wildhorse Resort & Casino, bringing healthy gusts. But that wasn’t about to stop master pyrotechnician and Homeland Fireworks owner Bruce Lawson from creating another special fireworks extravaganza for the resort’s 19th anniversary on March 8
As in a 2,300-pounds-of-explosives extravaganza.
Despite the weather, Lawson’s smile could not have been wider.
“It’s not a deal breaker,” he said, eyeing the darkening sky. “As long as the wind is not blowing toward spectators.”
None of the thousands of people in place at the resort two hours before the 8 p.m. show looked like they were going anywhere. More and more cars snaked in from Interstate 84 as time for ignition approached, slowing to stop-and-go as the clock inched forward.
The fireworks display has grown into a regional event, drawing spectators from around the Northwest, said Wildhorse event coordinator Juliana Luke.
The resort’s hotel and RV park get booked far in advance, returning guests reserving their favorite rooms. Kids come home from college and grandchildren get introduced to the hoopla.
“It’s absolutely tradition for people,” Luke said.
Lawson and his crew of 20 technicians — which includes his adult children — work hard to keep it that way. This is one of the two biggest fireworks shows in all of Oregon, Lawson said, the other being at the annual Oregon International Air Show on the other side of the state.
At Wildhorse the stage for filling the sky with fiery stars is about 200 feet wide, where Lawson’s team has placed more than 2,000 domestic and imported shells ranging from small to eight inches long.
That’s in the field next to the resort’s gold course. Closer to the parking lot — and watchers — is the Wall of Fire that rises from the ground like atomic mushrooms of flame. Spectators can feel the heat for 1,000 feet, Luke said, and Homeland Fireworks is the only company certified in the state to produce the effect.
Lawson’s crew also built a three-story rattan framework, implanting fireworks in a pattern to duplicate the resort’s logo. At the end of the 25-minute show, those are lit for a last burning memory
Lawson designs his company’s shows using computer programming, a galaxy away from when he used Excel spreadsheets and labeled each firework with a pen.
Homeland Fireworks gets invited to work all over the Pacific Northwest, but the Eastern Oregon show remains a favorite.
“A show like this is typically only seen back East … it’s 100 percent pyro musical, where all the devices match up with music,” Lawson said.
And how much does such a wonder cost?
“I can’t say,” Lawson said, smiling and ducking his head. “It’s a lot.”
Cost and care were evident the minute the show launched at 8:05 p.m. as the parking lot lights went dark.
Golden shooters greeted the crowd, going up, up, up to explode and drizzle streams of light back onto the ground. That was followed by nonstop explosions of red, green, turquoise and purple before ribbons of fire distilled into stars dancing on air.
“Spirit in The Sky,” broadcast on site and live by Confederated Tribe of the Umatilla Indian Reservation radio station KCUW, was fitting for the rapid-fire florets of vibrant color that next peppered the sky and provided backup percussion. The music evolved into an airy ballet as graceful arcs of meteors showered the land.
The rain ended. The fireworks did not. Fountains of spangles danced with crystal blue rhinestones as “Royals,” by Lorde, coated each sparkle with sweet sound.
Time stopped as umbrellas of light covered the crowds while torches, once heaven bound, burned back toward earth. A barrage of constellations ascended above the Wall of Fire as it once again roared to life, eliciting shouts from onlookers.

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Santa Clara County Pledges $70K for July 4 Fireworks Display

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Santa Clara County, the city of San Jose and the San Jose Rotary Club Wednesday pledged $120,000 toward a July 4 fireworks display to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary in the city, a spokesman said.

The Rotary Centennial Fireworks event on Independence Day will take place in downtown San Jose, but exact details are still being hammered out, club publicity committee member Nicholas Adams said.

The city of san jose used to host annual Fourth of July fireworks displays until 2009 when the city halted funding for it due to budget constraints, Adams said.

San Jose’s Rotary Club chapter, which started in 1914, opted to revive the downtown show just for this year for its century anniversary, he said.

“This is a one-time gift to the city,” Adams said. “Anything past this has not been discussed.”

“This is a big deal — the largest city in the Bay Area will have a fireworks display again,” Adams said.

To pay for the exploding pyrotechnics, the county has pledged to kick in $70,000, the city $50,000 and the club $20,000, Adams said.

The 450-member humanitarian service group expects local businesses to promise additional money and serve as event co-sponsors, Adams said.

“There are a long list of folks who want to support it, and for next year, too,” he said.

Michele McGurk, spokeswoman for San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, said that firework shows put on by the city in past years took place at Discovery Meadow, a large field next to the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Hose in downtown off of West San Carlos Street and state Highway 87.

In order to contain costs, this year’s July 4 fireworks event will not include a festival, booths or alcohol sales.

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Voters decide to retain Seabrook Beach fireworks ban

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A ban on fireworks will remain in place in the Seabrook Beach Village District after voters rejected a petition warrant article to allow such displays on weekends and holidays, including July 3.
Tom O’Hara’s citizen petition article — which was opposed by the commissioners of the Seabrook Beach Village District— failed by a vote of 615-666 at Tuesday’s election. It was attempting to overturn a rule put in place by the town’s selectmen in 2011
This was O’Hara’s third attempt to lift the ban of the pyrotechnics in the beach district.
Last year, the beach resident put forth an article that would allow displays before 10:30 p.m. with permission of the property owner but it failed by a mere three votes.
His first attempt in 2012 to reverse the ban was foiled when voters at deliberative session changed the wording of his article, essentially nullifying its intent.
The issue regarding fireworks at Seabrook Beach first flared up in 2011, when beach residents successfully persuaded selectmen to rule that fireworks, while permissible on private property throughout Seabrook, should not allowed at the beach district.
At the time, beach residents cited safety issues as the major concern as homes are built in close proximity to each other, while issues of noise disturbance were also raised.
Richard P. Maguire, chairman of the Seabrook Beach Village District commission, was one of the more vocal opponents of the article to lift the ban.
“The issue then and now is a quite simple one to grasp and understand,” said Maguire. “Homes within the Seabrook Beach Village District are most often within the 16 feet of one another in both the side and rear setbacks.”
The obvious safety concerns with homes in such close proximity, he said, led to the ban being put into effect.
“The problem exists seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. Fridays, Saturdays, holidays, and July 3 are no different,” Maguire said.
Maguire said he’s not opposed to fireworks.
He urged those who want to see fireworks at Seabrook Beach to encourage all parties — selectmen, beach commissioners, civic association leaders, fire and police officials — to work together to find ways for such displays in a responsible manner within the beach district.
All other petition warrant articles on the ballot were approved Tuesday including one that requests the town to reserve at least 10 parking spaces for town residents in the Seabrook Harbor parking lot
According to petitioner Joyce Addison, residents used to be able to park at that location. “We pay our taxes, we should be able to park there for free like we used to,” she said.
Voters also approved a petition article to replace the dugouts at Ralph Marshall Field at Gov. Weare Park, as well an an article by Philip S. Lycett III to raise the elderly property tax exemption for Seabrook residents.

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Fireworks bill hasn’t fizzled out yet

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It may be on a short fuse, but efforts to legalize fireworks in Iowa haven’t fizzled out.
Firefighters, insurance interests and medical professionals are fighting attempts to legalize fireworks, but so far haven’t doused the effort to let Iowans legally buy fireworks like folks in 42 states.
“It all comes down to safety,” according to Wayne Sawtell of Marshalltown, vice president of the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters. “There are too many national studies that reinforce the fact that the more fireworks there are the more injuries there are.”
However, floor manager of Senate File 2294, Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, said Tuesday the facts don’t back up Sawtell’s claim. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, injuries have decreased 57 percent since 2000 while sales have increased 150 million pounds to 200 million pounds of fireworks.
No one disputes that Iowans buy fireworks now in Missouri, South Dakota and Wisconsin, for example. Supporters of SF 2294 say that legalizing the sale of bottle rockets, firecrackers and Roman candles, for example would let Iowa retailers capture some of the revenue spent across state lines.
SF 2294 is ready for floor debate, according to Senate State Government Committee Chairman Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, a Cedar Falls firefighter. However, he’s not certain the Senate will get to it before the Legislature’s second self-imposed funnel deadline.
However, fireworks won’t die in the funnel because House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Tom Sands, R-Wapello, has requested a bill that would legalize some fireworks. Ways and Means bills are not subject to the deadline.
Sands’ bill would be similar to SF 2294 in that it would allow the sale of small fireworks — not M-80s of “cherry bombs” — to Iowans 18 and older. Purchases by minors would be misdemeanors punishable a fine of a least $250.
SF 2294 would give the state fire marshal, city councils and county boards authority to suspend the use of fireworks if the devices were deemed to be a threat to public safety

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Nashua officials OK July 4 fireworks funds

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Summer festivities may seem far away, but city officials are getting a jump-start on one of Nashua’s largest celebrations — the annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
This week, more than $17,000 was approved for the fireworks event at Holman Stadium on July 4, a gathering that continues to be a family tradition for many local residents.
“I think we would all agree that last year’s show was pretty remarkable,” said Mayor Donnalee Lozeau while reviewing the proposed contract with the aldermanic Finance Committee.
Last year the city utilized a new vendor for its fireworks display, opting to hire RS Fireworks of Hudson. At the time, a three-year optional contract was approved, allowing the contract to be reviewed annually.
“Being a Nashua native myself, this is my official guarantee and my duty to make this year’s show fantastic,” Rob Lavoie of RS Fireworks wrote in a memo to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “I personally owe it to my family, friends, clients and coworkers in Nashua, and would love the chance to do it the best way I know how.”
The show, at a price-tag of $17,250, will include 1,625 firework shells, according to the contract.
An average of 8,000 people attend the city’s fireworks display each Independence Day. In addition to the fireworks, other festivities are planned at Holman Stadium each year such as races, games and concerts.
Although Lozeau said she enjoyed last year’s show, not everyone was pleased with the fireworks event.
Alderman Paul Chasse, Ward 6, said he thought the fireworks shows in earlier years — with a different vendor from Jaffrey — were more entertaining displays.
“I think it goes on too long,” said Alderman David Deane, board president.
Lozeau noted that the Hudson company is closer to home, and that there is a cost savings of nearly $2,000 with RS Fireworks.
Lavoie said he guarantees that the Nashua fireworks display will be one to remember for years to come.
“We are convinced that with all our heart, technique and creativity that if awarded this bid, that Nashua will receive a fantastic and memorable display,” he said.

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Fireworks launch Brown University’s 250th anniversary celebration

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Thunder ruled the sky over Brown University’s College Green Friday evening, when the university punctuated the first round of celebrations on its 250th anniversary with a vigorous fireworks display that brought roars from the crowd that jammed the hallowed area.
At one point flaming white numbers — the size of the four-story building on whose side the apparition appeared — spelled out “250+”. The blazing digits would appear again, at the climax of the display, this time in gold. From the roof, technicolor sparks hosed skyward à la antiaircraft fire. The light show illuminated not only the clouds above, but the heads below.
Connie DiPanfilo, who watched the pyrotechnics from the shelter of Rogers Hall with her son, Nicholas, a student at Attleboro High School, said, “Never,” when asked if she had ever seen such a display. In fact, said DiPanfilo, who works in Brown’s International Advancement Office, she had never seen any fireworks at Brown.
College Green became a mob scene long before the fireworks erupted. As a first-quarter moon loomed through a thin overcast, the throngs approached from every direction, having consumed every parking spot within a many-block area.
Many were clearly not Brown students. Parents brought young children who rode their shoulders.
A brilliantly lit stage formed a backdrop from which speakers spoke and performers performed. The clamor of the crowd was such however that nothing penetrated beyond 50 feet.
It was a night for winter coats and wool hats. People carrying hot drinks from several tents that distributed food and beverages left small trails of steam behind them.
From a backlit, third-story building someone gazed down on the throng and did a respectable imitation of the pope appearing on the balcony at St. Peter’s Square. The papal mimicker soon draped himself with a flag and danced.

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Firework legislation could bring more business to Iowa

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New legislation has been put forth to bring a little spark into the coming summer months.

A bill to legalize the possession, sales, and use of fireworks survived the Feb. 21 “funnel,” a rule that required a majority of bills to pass out of subcommittees.

Under the new proposal, Iowans would be able to buy and use fireworks for the first time in nearly 80 years. The proposal would also make selling or letting anyone under 18 use fireworks a misdemeanor, which would be punishable by no more than 30 days in jail and at least a $65 fine, but the fine would not be more than $250.

Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, who put forward the proposal, said when he lived near the Missouri border, he saw many people drive to buy fireworks in the adjacent state, then use them in Iowa.

“I know recently, one of Missouri’s sales groups said that 80 percent of their sales were to Iowans,” Chelgren said.

When Chelgren proposed the bill, he said a portion of the taxes from fireworks would go to a fund to help firefighters get new equipment. This was eliminated from the current proposal.

“I’m glad that the bill made it through the funnel,” Chelgren said. “I think a vast majority of people support it.”

Iowa City Fire Chief John Grier said there are many different levels of fireworks that could be approved, and so he could not recommend safety procedures other than reading the instructions carefully, if the bill were to pass.

“My concern with the approval of the fireworks is the potential for injuries and damage,” Grier said. “The more explosive you have in it, the more opportunity you have for an issue.”

Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines, said it shouldn’t be the state’s decision.

“My position on the fireworks bill is that if we’re going to do anything, we should leave the specific decision up to individual communities,” Hatch said.

Hatch was concerned about the prospective injuries that may occur from this bill, which “may be anything from lost fingers to lost eyesight.”

Grier said that firework-related injuries are not typical in Iowa City, and there are usually no problems with permits for professional displays.

Currently, Iowa allows for novelty fireworks, such as snakes and sparklers. It is one of four such states: Illinois, Ohio and Vermont.

There are also four states in which all fireworks are banned, other than for professional display: Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, and New York.

Chelgren said if fireworks were legalized, he thought that more people would start using fireworks for a while, but use would even out eventually.

“In the first few years, I think that more people would start using fireworks for the novelty of being able to do it,” Chelgren said.

Beth Ingram, a University of Iowa associate provost and economics professor, said the state would benefit from a shift in firework revenue across the border.

“This would bring more economic activity and tax revenue to the state,” Ingram said.

Chelgren echoed the statement and said that legalizing fireworks could “peel off a chunk from Missouri’s earnings,” as citizens from Illinois could also cross the Mississippi River to purchase their fireworks.

Hopefully, more people will come across the border and buy more Iowa goods

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City signs new fireworks contract

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The city of Southaven expects to get more bang for its bucks with a new vendor for its annual July Fourth fireworks show.
The Commercial Appeal reports that the board of aldermen approved Tuesday a contract with PyroFire Displays to provide the fireworks for its Independence Day celebration at Snowden Grove Park.
The company will be paid $28,950 for what it calls an electronically and computer choreographed “high intensity” show — an $11,050 savings over last year’s display by American Fireworks.
This year, the city advertised for bids and PyroFire provided the lowest bid of two companies to submit bids for the job. American Fireworks was the second bidder and its bid was $40,000, the same amount it charged the city last year for the fireworks show.

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