Northwest Iowa — For the first winter in nearly 80-years, consumer fireworks can be shot off here in northwest Iowa, as a result of a law passed by the Iowa Legislature late last spring.
State law says that consumer fireworks may be fired off from December 10th to January 3rd, between the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 pm daily, with the exception of December 31st. The State of Iowa says the New Year may be started with a bang between the hours of 9:00 am December 31st and 12:30 am January 1st.
Many area communities have their own ordinances that allow for a shorter period of time in which to shoot off your winter fireworks. For example, in Sheldon, City Attorney Micah Schreurs says the period for the legal use of consumer fireworks runs from December 17th through January 2nd. Sheldon’s ordinance allows for the fireworks to be exploded from noon to 11:00 pm daily, with the exception of New Year’s Eve, when the hours of use run from noon December 31st to 12:30 am January 1st.
We suggest that you check with the City Hall in the community in which you live, to find out exactly what dates and hours you’re allowed to use consumer fireworks.
The fireworks will be a little harder to come by this winter than they were for the Independence Day holiday last summer. During the summer season Sheldon was home to two fireworks sales businesses, TC Fireworks, and It’s Lit Fireworks. Dan Ten Clay of TC Fireworks says that his company will not be selling fireworks for the winter season, nor will It’s Lit Fireworks, according to owner Joel Bousema. Both fireworks businesses say that, since they lack a permanent structure for their fireworks businesses, they aren’t allowed to sell during the winter season.
There are just a couple of businesses that will be selling fireworks for the winter season, they include Solsma’s Punkin Patch and Fireworks near Sanborn, and the It’s Lit Fireworks Rock Rapids location.
If you’d like to review Sheldon’s Fireworks Ordinance, you can find it by CLICKING HERE.
