As Owensboro begins preparations for city-wide Independence Day celebrations, citizens are encouraged to exercise safe firework handling.
Under City Ordinance 16-2011, fireworks can generally be used between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., but the time is extended to midnight on July 3 and 4. No one under the age of 18 may use them at any time. They cannot be used within 200 feet of any structure or motor vehicle, whether operational or not.
After the bourbon barrel rickhouse collapse at O.Z. Tyler earlier this month, the City of Owensboro has restricted firework use within a half mile of the facility. No person may use, ignite, fire, or explode any fireworks within the designated area. This restriction will be enforced by the Owensboro Police Department.
The City of Owensboro offered these additional firework safety tips:
· Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
· Read and follow all instructions on the label.
· Before lighting fireworks, make sure that other people are out of range.
· Light fireworks on a flat surface.
· Keep water close by at all times when fireworks are being used.
According to the Owensboro Fire Department, 11,400 injuries related to fireworks happen annually in the United States. Of those, 46 percent are injuries to hands and fingers and another 34 percent are to the face.
One safety tip fire departments recommend is to attend a professional firework show rather than hosting your own.
The City of Owensboro invites the region to downtown Owensboro’s riverfront to celebrate the All-American Fourth of July presented by Meijer on Thursday, July 4.
The annual celebration will include food vendors, live music and family fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Local musician Hayley Payne will take the McConnell Plaza stage beginning at 5 p.m., followed by The Downtown Band from 7-10 p.m.
The Owensboro Convention Center will again be hosting 4th Fest presented by Kentucky Legend in the exhibit hall from 6-9 p.m. The event will include interactive games, activities, and food for the whole family. There are also opportunities to reserve a seat or an entire table with a buffet dinner in prime view of the fireworks on the terrace.
To cap off the evening, the skies above the Ohio River will light-up with the city’s largest fireworks display downtown with some of your favorite patriotic music at 9:15 p.m. Families are encouraged to get there early to set up lawn chairs and blankets.
Although City offices and buildings will be closed for the Independence Day holiday and all sanitation routes will be delayed one day, two downtown trolleys will be running from 4:30 to 9:45 p.m.
The Owensboro Country Club will host a fireworks show on July 4 and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, located at 5664 Highway 56, is hosting a free fireworks event on Sunday, June 30, which is open to the public.
