Mother Nature Dictates Increase In New Year's Fireworks

Sally Carroll/McDonald County Press Kyle Howell, site manager for Hale Fireworks, said local fireworks sales were up from last year. Local residents have taken advantage of the improved weather conditions and lack of burn bans to celebrate the New Year with fireworks.
Sally Carroll/McDonald County Press Kyle Howell, site manager for Hale Fireworks, said local fireworks sales were up from last year. Local residents have taken advantage of the improved weather conditions and lack of burn bans to celebrate the New Year with fireworks.

Fireworks sales to celebrate the New Year showed an increase, thanks to Mother Nature.

With improved weather conditions this year, local fireworks sales were up.

"We've had more sales this year. We have had better weather, and no burn bans," said Kyle Howell, manager of the Hale Fireworks site on U.S. Highway 71 at the state line.

Better weather this year, coupled with a rebounding economy, has helped boost sales.

Hale said families purchased small fireworks items to keep the children busy, then planned to launch a grand finale package at midnight to ring in the New Year.

"We see people buy a lot to set off for about three or four hours for the Fourth of July," Howell said. "People are outside, enjoying the weather. "(Now) we've been seeing people buy a grand finale package for midnight. That's the difference between the New Year and the Fourth."

The fireworks business, located at the Missouri/Arkansas state line, has been in existence for about 20 years, he said. What started as a business in a tent in 1996 eventually grew into a large building that houses a large quantity of fireworks. For the Fourth of July, the business has tent sales in several towns including Goodman, Anderson and Pineville.

Howell serves as the site manager for the Southwest Missouri business for his parents, Lenore and Jay Howell, who are currently selling fireworks in Jackson, Miss.

The retired couple has a year-round license for fireworks here. After the boon in business for the New Year, Howell will take a break until re-opening around the first of May. However, if friends call and need fireworks for a party, he can provide those.

Currently, all five major cities in Northwest Arkansas have city ordinances that do not allow fireworks for the New Year, Howell said. Should that change, Howell anticipates selling more fireworks to Arkansas residents to ring in the New Year.

General News on 01/05/2017