Mercer Island community groups sell fireworks for the Fourth

By Katie Metzger • June 28, 2017 12:00 pm
Bob Harper with the VFW and Inge Lettini, Mike Tye and Sue Miller with Kiwanis sell fireworks to raise money for Mercer Island scholarships and community groups. Mercer Island is one of few cities in the Lake Washington area that allows consumer fireworks. Katie Metzger/staff photo
Bob Harper with the VFW and Inge Lettini, Mike Tye and Sue Miller with Kiwanis sell fireworks to raise money for Mercer Island scholarships and community groups. Mercer Island is one of few cities in the Lake Washington area that allows consumer fireworks. Katie Metzger/staff photo

Mercer Island Fire Chief Steve Heitman said that the permit for Kiwanis, the Masonic Lodge and VFW to sell “safe and sane” fireworks on the Island has been approved.

Fireworks can be sold starting June 28 from noon to 9 p.m., and then from June 29 through July 4 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. They can be discharged on July 4 between 11 a.m and 11 p.m., Heitman said.

The fireworks stand will be set up in the Rite Aid parking lot, across the street from Fire Station 91. The fundraising sale has become an annual tradition for the community groups.

Though fireworks are legal in Mercer Island, there are many rules and reminders for discharge and cleanup. Fireworks are prohibited in all parks and school district properties. Only legal devices may be used; a list of legal and illegal devices is posted on the city’s fireworks safety webpage. Fire crackers, bottle rockets, missiles and rockets are not legal on Mercer Island.

Firework users are encouraged to keep pets safe and indoors, have a water bucket and hose handy, protect their eyes, soak used fireworks in water and keep matches away from children.

Make sure to light fireworks on a flat surface, read the instructions, stay 20 feet away from discharging fireworks and stop, drop and roll if hit by fireworks or sparks. Do not put used fireworks in plastic bags, but make sure to clean up all debris and put it into a metal trash can.

The Mercer Island fire and police departments work in partnership to provide fireworks disposal services to the community. Fireworks can be dropped off at Fire Station 91 or the Mercer Island Police Department at City Hall.

As an alternative, the city invites all residents to enjoy the professional fireworks show at the annual Summer Celebration Festival, to be held this year on July 8-9.

The fireworks, sponsored by The Roanoke Inn, will be at Luther Burbank Park on Saturday night, and are set to begin at about 10:15 p.m. Shuttles will run from City Hall starting at 6 p.m.

For more, visit the state fire marshal’s website at www.wsp.wa.gov/fire, or contact the local fire department at 206-275-7607.