No fireworks show this year

For the first time in decades, there will be no organized, community-wide fireworks display in McCook on the Fourth of July.

Lacking both money and manpower, the McCook Elks Lodge has been forced to give up sponsorship of the show, leaving the community without a massive local display for the first time since well back in the 1960s, if not before.

"I remember going to fireworks shows at the fairgrounds when I was a kid," said Dan Stramel, who has handled fireworks arrangements for the Elks in recent years. "At that time -- 40 years ago -- the fireworks shows were put on by the McCook Jaycees -- but the responsibility was later taken on by the Elks."

When the Elks first started doing the Fourth of July displays, the aerial extravaganza was staged at the McCook Elks Lodge, overlooking the McCook Country Club golf course. That tradition continued for a number of years, going on behind the Elks building even after the golf course moved to the other side of town.

However, in 2000, the fireworks display was moved back to the Red Willow County Fairgrounds, and has remained there until this year.

While the Elks lack the resources to keep the show going, they are encouraging the city, the fire department or another community organization to take over sponsorship. It's probably too late for this year, but -- if an effort gets under way by fall or winter -- there is plenty of time to put a show together for 2005.

For the organization that takes on the task, there will be three main things to do: 1. Raise money for the show; 2. Get insurance; and: 3. Line up sufficient manpower.

"It's possible to put on a pretty nice show, not counting insurance, for $3,000," Stramel said. "We've spent more, but $3,000 makes for a pretty nice show." Then comes the insurance. For this item, it would be best to affiliate with an entity that already has a liability insurance policy, such as the city or a large business or organization.

Through existing umbrella coverage, it should be able to get the insurance cheaper than through a new group or club.

After the money and insurance are taken care of, the next order of business will be to get fireworks setters tested and certified. Currently, those in McCook with fireworks credentials are Dan Dueland, Dan Stramel, Paul Wood and John Zlomke. They would all be helpful sources to show others how to become certified. To find out more, interested organizations can log on to the Nebraska Fire Marshal's Web site: www.sfm.state.ne.us.

So what about this year? There are a couple of possible approaches. One is for residents to sit on their porches or out in the yard, enjoying the displays set off by their neighbors. Or, for those who don't mind a little drive, residents can travel to nearby towns -- including Culbertson, Indianola and Arapahoe -- for the outstanding community displays in those towns.

Because of McCook's proud history of patriotism, it is important that the community fireworks displays be renewed. Let's work together to see that it happens.