July Fourth fireworks sales kick off Monday in Wichita County

Russell’s Fireworks is celebrating 40 years in business as Fourth of July fireworks sales kicked off Monday in Wichita County.

Besides a chance to paint the sky with pyrotechnics, the season brings the need for fireworks safety and savvy about what’s legal, as well as the chance to attend local Independence Day Events.

Patsy Hodgkins, owner of Russell’s Fireworks, said retailers can sell fireworks June 24 through July 4 for the nation’s birthday.

Wearing an American-flag themed hat, she stood in a cavernous building stocked with shelves of fireworks in colorful wrappings.

Russell’s offers fireworks costing from 25 cents up to around $38, she said.

“It’s a fun business to be in,” Hodgkins said.

In her son’s memory

For every $50 spent, customers get a six-shot package of Russell’s Revenge Artillery Shells, Hodgkins said. Her son, Russell Nettles, named those fireworks many years ago.

He began selling fireworks at 12 and continued until 50, she said. Nettles passed away from cancer in November of 2017, and his mom took over running the business.

“I promised him as long as I was breathing I’d do this,” Hodgkins said.

Over the years, Russell’s has been a family endeavor, and his sister, Donna McDavid, is down from Florida to help this year, Hodgkins said.

Russell’s is on 1926 State Highway 79 N. – outside of the Wichita Falls city limits.

What is legal and what is not

Possession or use of all fireworks is illegal within the city limits of Wichita Falls, according to the Wichita Falls Police Department.

Anyone possessing or setting off fireworks within the city limits could be fined.

In addition, Wichita County Sheriff’s Deputy Melvin Joyner said it is illegal to set them off from the roadway or shoulder of a road.

They can be fired off on private property outside the city limits in the county, but those setting them off must have permission from the property owner, Joyner said.

Stop & Pop

Planet Fireworks in Jolly offers an option again this year to set off fireworks outside the city limits.

The fireworks retailer at 10465 U.S. Highway 287 N. -- across from the Jolly Travel Center -- will have a free Stop & Pop event open to the public, Sydney Wisdom, granddaughter of owner Glenn Tarter, said.

People can set off fireworks from 6 p.m. to midnight on July Fourth on land to the west side of the retailer, Wisdom said.

Safety tips

Joyner offered safety tips for those celebrating the holiday with their own fireworks.

“It’s recommended that you have a water source there in case a fire ignites,” he said.

“I would just recommend that if you’re going to have children out there, that adults supervise them to make sure that they’re using the fireworks properly and just observe safety,” Joyner said.

The Wichita County area has seen a lot of rain, but there is still plenty of dry grass and brown, just-cut wheat fields that can ignite easily, he said.

“If you do see a fire, call 911 and start the fire department before you try to put it out,” Joyner said.

In Russell’s Fireworks, a display offers safety suggestions, such as taping cakes of fireworks together to keep them upright.

“We promote safety,” Hodgkins said.

She also suggested using fuses to put distance between the cakes and people, as well as fitting sparklers into upside-down disposable cups to protect hands.

Local Independence Day events

If your goal is to simply sit back and enjoy the star-spangled show while others deal with the pyrotechnics and parades, there are local options on the Fourth of July.

The Old Fashioned Fourth of July and Most Patriotic Parade begins at 9 a.m. with a parade that starts at Ninth Street, goes from Ohio Avenue up the hill to the Kell House Museum at 900 Bluff St.

Then from 9:30 a.m. to noon, there will be an old-fashioned salute to America, a cake walk, face painting and yard games at the Kell House Museum.

What’s more, 9th Street Studios will host an art show, “An American Experience,” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Live music and fireworks will take place at the Multi-Purpose Events Center from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. A fireworks show topping off the celebration will begin about 9:30 p.m.