Church upgrades fireworks booth

RITZVILLE – Patrons of this year's local fireworks stand will see significant improvements in the both the booth and its stock of fountains, sparklers, rockets and Independence Day noisemakers.

Set up in its familiar location near the Conoco station off Division Street near the Interstate 90 interchange, the new booth will be newer and more secure than the previous wooden structure.

According to Brad Gering, council member at the Ritzville Foursquare Church that sponsors the fundraiser, the church has opted to contract with a different fireworks distributor this year.

The new company, Discount Fireworks, operates under the corporate moniker J & M, LLC. Gering said this company has more than 50 different fireworks booths set up around Eastern Washington, including booths at Airway Heights, Moses Lake and Warden.

The Ritzville booth is 33 feet long and sits on a trailer.

Customers will ascend a few steps to place their orders.

"The new booth has very good lighting with roll-up garage-style doors that lock at night," Gering said, adding this year's inventory will be expanded to include a greater variety of fireworks, and the items will be more kid-oriented.

He also expects prices to be lower.

As in previous years, proceeds from the fundraiser will be used, in part, to subsidize local youth attendance at church camps. Some youngsters-under the supervision of adults-will also staff the new booth.

Fireworks sales run from June 28 through July 4, as long as supplies last, he said.