Community 4th of July Celebration

Join the celebration of our Nation’s Independence Day during the annual 4th of July Parade which begins at 3:00 pm on Sunday. Grab your lawn chair and find your favorite parade viewing spot along the parade route which begins on First Avenue South and Park Drive and travels east to 8th Street, then north to Central Avenue and finally west back to the Civic Center. Donations received through the People’s Park & Recreation Foundation “Fireworks Forever Fund” have graciously paid for this year’s fireworks display. During the parade, please show your appreciation by donating your pocket change and dollar bills to the People’s Park & Recreation Foundation “Fireworks Forever Fund” for next year’s fireworks display.

This year’s parade theme is “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.” To participate in the parade or if you have any questions regarding the parade, please contact Ed Brown at 788-0032.

Cool off at the Electric City Water Park by sliding into the Mitchell Pool or riding the wave at the FlowRider. The Electric City Water Park will stay open until 6 p.m.

The best viewing of the community fireworks display will be at Elk’s Riverside Park. The community display will begin about 10:10 p.m. from West Bank Park. West Bank Park will be closed all day in order for the pyrotechnics to set up the display. Handicap parking will be available in the Farmers Union Building parking lot located on River Drive. Access to that parking lot will only be at Central Avenue West and River Drive.

Leave your fireworks at home. Like the previous year, no fireworks will be allowed in Elk’s Riverside Park. People will be asked to return their fireworks to their vehicles or they will be confiscated. The fireworks ordinance will be enforced.

The ordinance states that:

PERMISSIBLE FIREWORKS ARE . . .

• Only allowed on July 2, 3 and 4 from 8 a.m. to midnight.
• Only for use on private property and are not allowed in parks, on streets, cul-de-sacs, or public parking lots.
• Messy and cause a lot of debris. Be sure to pick up the litter.
• Pursuant to State statute, Sky Rockets, Roman Candles and Bottle Rockets are not “permissible fireworks.”

FINES ARE STEEP . . .

• 1st Offense ......................... $100
• 2nd Offense ........................ $200
• 3rd Offense ......................... $300
• 4th Offense & Greater ......... $1000

Don’t have your independence day celebration spoiled with hefty fines and upset neighbors. This law will be enforced. Follow the law, have fun and stay safe.

See also: City Fireworks Code

GENERAL FIREWORKS SAFETY RULES

1. Follow label directions and use common sense.
2. Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
3. Do not alter fireworks. Not only are altered fireworks dangerous, they can be classified as illegal.
4. Never carry fireworks in pockets or shoot them in metal or glass containers.
5. If an item does not work, leave it alone. Do not try to relight it. Pour water on it.
6. A responsible adult should always closely supervise all fireworks activities.
7. Always clean up used fireworks when finished.
8. Injury and fires can result from not using a solid flat level surface.
9. Have a bucket of water or a water hose nearby.
10. Buy only from reliable fireworks outlets.

GREAT FALLS FIREWORKS RULES

All family or consumer fireworks (1.4g) except stick rockets and roman candles are allowed to be discharged in the City between 8 a.m. and midnight, July 2, 3 and 4. County locations are not restricted. However, noise and litter ordinances still apply. Children seven and younger must have a supervising adult within 10 feet and control the application of flame or other means to discharge the firework. It is illegal to leave debris from discharged fireworks on public places or property not owned by the individual discharging the fireworks. Fireworks may not be discharged in any city park, or on any public sidewalk, street, public right-of-way, publicly-owned parking lot or alley.

See also: City Fireworks Code

Street Closures Specific to the 4th of July

• River Drive, between 1st Avenue North and 6th Street North will be closed at 7 a.m. on Sunday, July 4th. Anyone with a vehicle parked in that vicinity will be asked to move it.
• Central Avenue and 1st Avenue South between Park Drive and 8th Street will be closed the morning of July 4th in order to set up for the parade.
• 3rd Avenue South between 2nd Street and River Drive will also be closed the morning of July 4th for parade staging purposes.

More Information

For more information, contact Lisa Kunz at 455-8451 or Fire Marshall Bennyhoff at 727-8070.