craigdailypress.com

With a bigger bankroll behind it this year, Craig Fire/Rescue is planning a bold and better fireworks show for area residents on the Fourth of July.

"This year, we got some more money which translates into more fireworks," chief Bill Johnston said.

The annual fireworks show begins after sundown at Moffat County High School, 900 Finley Lane.

The city of Craig funds the display.

This year, those funds equaled about $10,000, Johnston said.

Planning for the demonstration began six months ahead of time. The fire department spends all day setting up the display.

The setup includes two stations, each with eight people to fire off the fireworks.

Once the stations are set up and the fireworks have been delivered, they are not left unattended.

The fireworks then are sorted by size, and safety precautions are put into place. Precautions include a safety house, a fire suppression crew and protective equipment, in addition to having staff on hand trained in pyrotechnics.

The fire suppression crew includes Bureau of Land Management firefighters, as well as members from the Moffat County Sheriff's Office. The crew surrounds the shooting area to make sure no fires start and nobody gets hurt.

Areas where sparks from the fireworks may fall also are carefully watched.

Many people work together to make sure the display, which lasts about 45 minutes, is appealing to the eye.

In addition, the Craig Chamber of Commerce is selling three dimensional glasses for $1 for people who wish to make the display that much more alive.

For Johnston, the fireworks displays are not just a mundane tradition, even after more than 30 years.

"I think at first it was to commemorate our emancipation from the British, but I think it's turned into a little more than that," he said. "It's to remember all those people that have risked their lives for the history of the U.S. to let us have the privileges that we have today.

"That's what it means to me. Honoring all those that came before us, starting with the revolutionaries."

Yesenia Robles can be reached at 875-1790.