Editorial

Support local Fourth of July fireworks shows

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Get plenty of sleep this week because Friday night you need to be prepared to stay up late for the most spectacular fireworks displays in this region's history.

"It will be awesome," said Kevin Urbom of Arapahoe, the area's premiere pyrotechnic authority and one of the state's leading distributors of fireworks.

Urbom, operating as Island Fireworks of Nebraska, provides displays to a dozen private and public organizations in Nebraska for Fourth of July shows. In addition to spectacular shows in the Omaha, Beatrice and Broken Bow areas, he supplies fireworks to communities up and down the Republican Valley, including Alma, Arapahoe, Cambridge, Indianola and McCook.

An attorney, Urbom became interested in the fireworks business 12 years ago while helping with the Arapahoe show. "I just wasn't satisfied with the quality of the fireworks. I knew there had to be something better."

After looking into the possibilities, Kevin affiliated with Island Fireworks out of Wisconsin, and his business has grown steadily since that time. "We get fireworks from China, which is the maker of some of the best pyrotechnic displays in the world," he said.

This year should be especially thrilling. Valley towns are pumping thousands of dollars into displays this year, with McCook and Culbertson benefitting from large donations from the McCook Fire and Rescue Squad. "This will be the biggest show ever in McCook," said Dan Stramel, a McCook Elks trustee who is helping with arrangements for the local show. The same is true in Culbertson, where the Culbertson Volunteer Fire Department is preparing for a spectacular show at the Hitchcock County Fairgrounds.

In McCook, Culbertson and other area towns with Fourth of July displays, the fireworks start when darkness falls, which this year will be sometime between 9:48 and 10 (CDT).

Get ready to be dazzled. "Be on the lookout for sensational displays," Urbom said. "The 56-shot Poisonous Spider will provide a long-lasting spectacle in McCook, and Indianola will be treated to a 'Big Shot' finale, featuring a 306-shot display packed in a 208-pound crate." But, whichever show you go to, it will be magnificent, celebrating America's Independence in grand style.

And, as you await the glittering displays up and down the valley, pass the hat and give the donations to the sponsoring organizations. We have a proud tradition of Fourth of July spectaculars in the Golden Plains of Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. Let's keep it going with our presence at the shows ... and our presents of financial support to the sponsors.

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