Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012, July 03, 2003, Page 8, Image 8

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    Fireworks
continued from page 1
"Mystical Portal" has a strobe light that makes it look different
from other fireworks.
There are also plenty of other items to entice customers, how
ever, from "Killer Bees" to "Dragon Parts."
"Every kid that comes here is like, "You gotta get a Dragon Part,'"
I lammond said.
One could also pick up a "Nite Siren," "Power Surge," "When
I fell freezes Over" or the "Big Bad Ass fountain" Ihere's even a
hen that pops out an egg as it ignites.
But for 10-year-old Nat Blankenship, it's the tanks that stand out.
"We use (the tanks) and we set them up against each other
with sparklers, and we see which one gets more ignited," Nat
said, adding that he also likes the "Killer Bees."
In terms of cost, the stands offer something for every pocket, fire
work prices start as low as 39 cents, and many items are less than
$ 1. Some of the more explosive items, like the Mystical Portal, are
more than $20. Since retail vendors in Oregon can sell fireworks
only for a limited time each year, I lammond said people also stock
up on fireworks for weddings, birthdays and the New Year.
Still, not everyone can fork out the cash for the holiday good
ies. Senior Matthew Wiehr said he usually doesn't buy fireworks
because he can't afford them on his student budget.
"I'll just watch the big display," Wiehr said.
While some people might be excited about creating a Disney
World-like display, not all types of fireworks are legal in Oregon.
"Illegal fireworks in the State of Oregon are the ones that fly in
the air or explode," said Deputy Fire Marshal T.J. Johannsen. She
added that it is also illegal to use fireworks that move more than
12 feet on smooth ground or act in an uncontrolled manner. Il
legal fireworks include firecrackers, roman candles, mortars, aer
ial spinners and crazy jack jumping jacks. Also, missile, sky and
bottle rockets are prohibited, as well as explosive devices such as
cherry bombs, ash cans and silver salutes.
Johannsen said the state does not allow the flying fireworks
because they may end up in areas with grass or other combustible
materials and start a fire.
"Where they land is uncontrollable," she said. According a
press release from the fire marshal's office, fireworks caused 312
fires in Oregon in 2002 that together resulted in property dam
ages exceeding $688,000.
In addition, Johannsen said the potential for injury is high with
fireworks that explode. In 2002, there were 61 firework-related in
juries reported in emergency rooms and clinics
Johannsen advised merrymakers to be careful about where they
light fireworks, and to always have an adult present when using
them. She added that pets should be kept inside since many are
frightened by the noise.
Besides firework stands, several department stores such as Wal
Mart and Target also sell fireworks.
Contact the reporter at ayishayahya@dailyemerald.com.
Jessica Waters Emerald
Fireworks Factory Outlet employee Renee Hammond describes the many
sparkling, noise-making legal fireworks available at their sales tent on West
29th Avenue and Willamette Street.
CAMPUS
Hit
Thursday
"Caravan to Cuba" (potluck picnic to greet the 13th Pastors for Peace
Caravan to Cuba), 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church. For more
information, contact CISCAP at 485-8633 or via e-mail at ciscap@efn.org.
r
016401
The Salvation Army
Clothing, Furniture, Linens,
Beds, Housewares.
Great Pr'ices Great QualitV
10% off student discount
Stores and Donation Centers:
2065 W 7lh Ave 1489 Mohawk
Eugene Springfield
118 Gateway
Cottage Grove
Student Special!
Hit the links this summer with our
STUDENT SPECIAL!
18 holes for $ 18
every Monday & Thursday
541.895.2174
83301 Dale Kuni Rd. • Creswell, OR 97426
18 holes for $18
valid every Monday &. Thursday
(must he 24 and under with student ID)
I
I
I
J
Fourth of July
continued from page 1
to draw thousands more this year.
"We brought in more people than
we were expecting last year," 1 lamil
ton said. "This year we hope to be a
little more prepared and organized a
lot tighter."
This year's Freedom Festival is be
ing partnered with Maude Kerns Art
and the Vineyard festival. The wine
and art show features the works of
hundreds of artists, food, a variety of
wines to taste and live music.
The fireworks show will feature
685 shells with nearly 100 powerful
5-inch shells. The Freedom Festival
has not used 5-inch shells since leav
ing Autzen Stadium in 1995.
"This is the oldest and largest fire
works display in the county, so we
want to make sure that it's great,"
Hamilton said. The firework show is
expected to begin about 10 p.m.
Admission is $5 for adults from
11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and $3 after 8
p.m., and $1 for children 12 and
under. Parking is $2 per car or $1
with a Bi-Mart card. All parking for
the Freedom Festival will be at
Autzen Stadium. Handicapped
parking will be at the entrance lot to
the Alton Baker Park parking lot.
Lane Transit District shuttle service
will also be available.
The Eugene Pro Rodeo will fea
ture a firework display at 10 p.m.,
but plenty will be happening before
the show.
The rodeo has events all week
end, but on Thursday attendees can
enjoy bull riding and cattle roping
at 7:30 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., spectators
will have the opportunity to watch
a monster truck and motorcycle
stunt show.
Rodeo volunteer Malcom McRae
estimates that about 6,500 people
will attend the event, and warned
that tickets may be sold out by the
day of the show.
Advance tickets are available at Bi
Mart and Knecht's Auto Parts for $ 12,
or $ 14 at the gate. Admission for chil
dren ages 6 to 12 is $6 and children
younger than 5 can attend for free.
Parking is $2.
The Butte to Butte is the oldest and
largest road race in Eugene, consist
ing of a 10 kilometer run and a 4.5
mile walk. The 10k race begins at the
foot of the Donald Street Hill at East
43rd Avenue and ends at Skinner
Butte Park. The entry fee is $ 16 with
an event shirt or $ 10 without a shirt
through July 3. The fee on the day of
the run/walk is $22 with a shirt or
$ 16 without.
The run and walk both begin at 8
a.m. Shuttles will be provided to take
participants from East Fifth Avenue
and Pearl Street to the start of the race
from 6:50 to 7:30 a.m.
Contact the reporter
at shoikeda@dailyeinerald.coni.
SAFETY BRIEF
Fire marshal offers
firework tips
With more than 11,000 fireworks
related injuries nationwide each
year, people may want to take extra
precautions this year for a safe Inde
pendence Day holiday. The Oregon
Office of the State Fire Marshal has
several suggestions to ensure cele
brations are free from injuries and
property damage.
• Always purchase fireworks from
licensed firework locations. Avoid il
legal fireworks which may be danger
ous, like bottle rockets.
• Read and follow all instructions
carefully when using fireworks.
• Always keep fireworks outdoors
and away from flammable materials.
• Adults should always be present
when fireworks are being lit, keeping
matches and lighters away from chil
dren. Fireworks should also be kept
away from small children. Even seem
ingly harmless items like sparklers can
be dangerous, and children may get
burned if they touch them.
• Fireworks should never be point
ed at people, pets, cars or buildings.
• Keep a bucket of water close by to
mm mm
199 E. 5th Ave • (541) 484-1334
Sushi on the conveyor
Variety of sushi, sashimi, and
chef specials starting at $1.50
015103
Box
Teriyaki
• Lunch special
• Tempura
• Udon
• Yakisoba
• Katsu
• Variety of sea food salad
• To go available
• and more
Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 - 2:30
Dinner Mon-Sat 5:00-10:00
Sunday Closed
soak used or misfired fireworks. Never
try to re-light a "dud" firework.
• Do not try to change or make
your own fireworks.
• Since 18 percent of fireworks ac
cidents involve eye injuries, the Ore
gon Health Sciences University Casey
Eye Institute also advises people to
use eye protection like goggles when
lighting fireworks.
• To completely minimize the risk
of injury, people can attend profes
sional public fireworks displays since
the potential for injury is higher when
fireworks are used at home.
— Ayisha Yahya
0167721
WlylHflli
Community __
Center tor the ““,1"
PerfomUtiy Arts
■ Tonight m
Ivemo
with Broadfunk
Jam-Rock-Reggae/Jazz-Fu nk
8:oo pm, $7 at door
■ Wednesday ■
Erase Errata,
The Kin? Cobra,
Shoplifting
Post-Put 1 k Rock
9:00 pm, $8 door, $7 advance
All Ages Welcome • 687-2746