Independence Day is coming up very soon, and people are getting excited to celebrate the holiday with the things they love. But new this year for Marion, consumer fireworks are no longer allowed.
MARION, Ill. (WSIL)-- Independence Day is coming up very soon, and people are getting excited to celebrate the holiday with the things they love.
But new this year for Marion, consumer fireworks are no longer allowed. Now local firework vendors are worried about how that impacts their bottom line.
Sky Thunder Fireworks says in order to follow the new ordinance, they had to set up shop outside of city limits. Kelly Whitecotton is a sales clerk for the store.
“So we're out in the countryside,� Whitecotton said.
Whitecotton says they chose to be located on Route 37 between Johnston City and Marion for the traffic.
“If we were actually in town, we would have a lot more people seeing that we were open to come and buy fireworks,� Whitecotton said.
But for Whitecotton, their proximity to the larger population can make or break their sales. She says she doesn't believe the ordinance will cut down on fireworks use just where people make their purchase.
“A lot of people are driving down to where they usually buy fireworks from instead of buying from us,� Whitecotton said.
Although consumer fireworks are not allowed in Marion. Novelty fireworks such as sparklers and party poppers are still allowed. Licensed pyrotechnicians can still conduct firework displays with an approved display permit from the Marion Fire Department.
New 3 reached out to the City of Marion about the ordinance. They declined to comment.
