Sales crackling, kids smiling

Deirdre Newman

Six-year-old Tyra Kennedy stood next to a box of fireworks that was

almost as tall as she was, eager to tear off the plastic and get the

Fourth of July started on Saturday afternoon.

“I love fireworks,” she sang as she wrapped her arms around the

box and lifted it up.

Tyra had come to the fireworks stand in the parking lot of Stater

Bros. supermarket on Newport Boulevard with her brother, Tyler, 9,

and dad, Dennis Kennedy, who plunked down close to $200 for a box of

eclectic fireworks called The Big One.

“I could just take $200 and light it on fire, but this is more

fun,” Dennis Kennedy said.

The Kennedys were one of many families who made their annual

pilgrimage to the fireworks hub of Costa Mesa this weekend to prepare

for today’s Independence Day festivities.

The colorful allure of the fireworks stands remained the same as

in previous years, even though there were fewer stands this year

because of changes made by the City Council in May. After two

controversial public hearings, where some residents pleaded for city

leaders to ban the sale of fireworks, the council decided to limit

the stands to 40 and tightened up the criteria for those who could

apply. As a result, only 28 nonprofit organizations and schools

qualified to sell fireworks this year.

Some of those that were eligible said the reduced supply of

fireworks stands helped make their sales more explosive.

“It’s better so far [than last year],” said Mike McDaniels, who

was working at a stand sponsored by Estancia High School’s basketball

booster club, in the parking lot of Ralphs on 17th Street. “We’re all

speculating that it’s fewer stands, and maybe the economy is starting

to rebound a little.”

One measure of its success was that the stand sold the pricey Big

Bang box of fireworks, costing close to $500, the day it opened.

McDaniels said the sale of fireworks helps pay for player fees at

the high school, which can be between $350 and $450 per player.

As items sold, children like Taylor Stefano, 10, peered through

the mesh wire of the Estancia stand, trying to get a better view of

fireworks with names such as Nite Thriller, Grand 49er, and Block

Party Nite -- all popular sellers.

“I’m excited to see them,” Taylor said. “I like the Piccolo Petes

because they’re really loud.”

Her father said Costa Mesa should continue selling fireworks as

long as users can handle them sensibly.

“I think if people are responsible with them, they should be

allowed to have them, and if they’re acting irresponsibly, they

shouldn’t,” Joe Stefano said. “I haven’t heard too much about fires

in Costa Mesa the last few years.”

Over at the stand near Stater Bros., Luke Fischer, 12, and Max

Gerard, 11, said they would be disappointed if they couldn’t buy

their favorite fireworks, which included the Triple Threat and

Tequila Sunrise.

“I just love being with my parents and seeing sparks fly

everywhere,” Luke said.

One patron of the stand at Stater Bros., which is sponsored by

Youth Services Assn., said he was disappointed that he couldn’t buy

individual packages of sparklers. They are available in only packages

and won’t be available for sale at all in two years because of the

new restrictions.

“I just wanted my kids to try them,” said Jimmy Mendez of Aliso

Viejo. “I will look somewhere else.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].