Suburbs

From now until at least the end of the weekend, the sis-boom-oohs-and-ahs of Independence Week will echo through suburbs and neighborhoods across the metro area.

Officially and unofficially.

The fireworks explosions are a part of the summer holiday, which — as we all know — can stretch way outside the Fourth of July. Particularly this year, when Independence Day falls on a Saturday.

We had to publish reporter Amaya Taylor’s schedule of events on Thursday, June 25 because Arlington (perhaps since it is first alphabetically), held its holiday happenings on Friday, June 26, as did West Memphis.

That set off a slew of events stretching more than a week. Some municipalities like Bartlett, Collierville and Millington held their pyrotechnic tradition Thursday night, perhaps as the christening of a long weekend and the eve of Friday’s day off work, or to get it out of the way before the Fourth so organizers could enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend.

But shout out to Germantown, Hernando and Lakeland, plus the Downtown Memphis Commission, all of which decided to hold off on their fireworks and patriotic music until — get this — Saturday.

The Fourth of July.

That’s a pretty novel approach, right?

The Independence Day celebration on INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

I guess there is some logic to it. Imagine if you were trying to see as many fireworks displays as possible and had to run all around to the various locations on the same night. Couldn’t be done.

Best you could hope for is to plop down your blanket somewhere between the shows and hope to see one or two.

Ah, but then there are at “unofficial” displays in coves and front yards. Reporter Michael Waddell interviewed the owner of the Millington location where amateur pyrotechnicians grab their goods for the weekend. This and New Year’s Eve are the Black Fridays for the fireworks business.

They also can lead to injuries. An eye damaged by a Roman candle fireball. A seat cushion ripped by an ill-thrown M-80. NFL linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul lost part of his right hand from a fireworks accident in 2015, impacting his career.

For the most part, law enforcement can’t start handcuffing folks lighting up a string of firecrackers. I’m guessing if anything, officers warn the people.

Not to do it any more after the Fourth.

Use of consumer fireworks is legal in Tennessee, but in Shelby County it is illegal to shoot off fireworks without a permit, and violations can result in confiscation and fines.

“That law’s been on the books since the 1960s,” Arlington Town Administrator Cathy Durant said of the county law. “But the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is not going to come tell you you can’t. They won’t enforce it.”

So, for the next few days be careful shooting off fireworks, be prepared for your pets to not like the loud noises, bangs and explosions and show some patience for the late night shows. Oh, and get ready to hear that tired, worn-out cliché “fireworks or gunshots?” They are going to happen this weekend. - Suburbs editor Clay Bailey

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