New Year’s fireworks stands in Tri-Cities parking lots catch some city leaders by surprise
Something unusual will appear in Tri-Cities parking lots right after Christmas.
Fireworks stands.
TNT Fireworks, whose temporary stands are ubiquitous around the Fourth of July, is approved to open a limited number of winter stands in the Tri-Cities on Dec. 27.
Washington law allows personal — safe and sane — fireworks to be used during a seven-hour span at New Year’s in jurisdictions that allow them.
Kennewick, Pasco and Richland will have fireworks stands but West Richland will not.
The cities of Kennewick and Pasco authorized a single stand each in the parking lots of their respective Walmart stores. The city of Richland authorized two, at Safeway, 690 Gage Blvd., and Walmart, 2801 Duportail St.
The stands have yet to be set up.
Fireworks stands can legally begin selling at noon two days after Christmas, Friday, Dec. 27. But state law only allows legal fireworks to be fired off between 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and 1 a.m., Jan. 1.
Local cities say they’ve never been asked to allow winter fireworks stands, though state law and in some cases, city codes, specifically allow a short sales window between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Richland Fire Chief Tom Huntington said the fireworks vendor initially asked to set up nine stands and opted for two. He characterized it as a test of the market for wintertime fireworks sales..
TNT couldn’t immediately be reached about its plans.
Huntington said the fireworks sold at stands are the “safe and sane” variety and aren’t responsible for the mayhem caused by their illegal counterparts.
“They aren’t the ones that cause the grief. These are fairly benign,” he informed the Richland City Council at its Dec. 17 regular meeting.
Easter fireworks next?
The request caught Richland leaders by surprise.
Richland Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Kent anticipates some pushback in the community.
“Lots of pets are going to be extremely unhappy on New Year’s Eve,” she said. “Is our next request going to be for Easter fireworks?”
Washington law only allows recreational fireworks at the Fourth of July and New Year’s.
The Tri-Cities has a on-off relationship with fireworks, with most jurisdictions allowing limited use during the periods spelled out in state law, much of the concern linked to all the fires sparked.
Kennewick ended a 31-year ban on personal fireworks in 2022, with the new rules taking effect in 2023.
Pasco ended its 22-year ban on personal fireworks in 2018. West Richland allows all personal fireworks that are legal under state law.
Legal, illegal
Some of the devices allowed under Washington law include cylindrical fountains, helicopters and aerial spinners, cone fountains, smoke devices, Roman candles, parachutes, wheels, mine/shells/cakes, ground spinners, sparklers and a category described as novelties.
It is illegal in Washington to possess, manufacture or use M-80s, M-100s and similar devices, improvised explosive devices such as pipe bombs and tennis ball bombs.
Altered fireworks, such as sparklers bound together with electrical or duct tape, are illegal as well.
Leave it to the pros
First Night Tri-Cities will host a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration from 4-9 p.m., Dec. 31, at the Gesa Carousel of Dreams in Kennewick.
The program includes a professional fireworks display.
Go to firstnighttricities.com for details and to buy tickets.
This story was originally published December 19, 2024 at 5:00 AM.