Fireworks?? (Dallas, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills: houses, buying, live)

[Guingirl]

Just found out that they are illegal in Tarrant County which honestly is a little disappointing . Have they always been illegal? Is it strictly because of the drought?

I grew up with yearly doing fireworks in front of my house. Granted they weren't anything big and certainly not what you can get here in Texas, but I hate to think what I took for granted as a family tradition, I won't be able to pass along to my daughter. Yes, we can start new ones, I just figured that they would have something.

[artcgal]

You can go on the outskirts where they are legal? But, personally...I HATE THEM!! Sadly, people STILL set them off around here even though they are illegal.

With this said. There are plenty of public firework shows you can visit. Fort Worth does have a good one! Also, check out the following information from the Dallas Morning News:

QUAD CITIES FAMILY 4TH: The cities of North Richland Hills, Haltom City, Richland Hills and the Quad Cities DFW Foundation will host a free fireworks show on July 4. The show will start at 9:30 p.m. and will last 20 minutes. The fireworks can be seen from the parking lots of Wiley G. Thomas Coliseum, 6108 Broadway Ave. in Haltom City, and the ATI Career Training Center, 6351 Boulevard 26 in North Richland Hills. Parking is free. Patriotic music will be simulcast live during the show on KDKR-FM (91.3). Bring chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, food, nonalcoholic drinks and games to play while waiting for fireworks. No outdoor cooking or grilling devices will be permitted. For information, call 817-281-9376.

STARS AND STRIPES: The Southlake Independence Day celebration will be from 5 to 10 p.m. July 3 at Southlake Town Square, 1256 Main St. The free event includes face painting, balloon art, arts and crafts and entertainment provided by the Southlake Community Band. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Food will be sold. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. No alcoholic beverages or glass containers allowed.

Perhaps you can start your own family tradition, and then end the day at a public fireworks show.

Here is more information:

NRH City Highlights (http://www.nrhtx.com/nrhnews_july42006.aspx - broken link)

Stars and Stripes (http://www.cityofsouthlake.com/SouthlakeGovernment/City_Departments/Community_Services/Recreation/SpecialEvents/StarsAndStripes.asp - broken link)

City of Fort Worth Texas - Departments

[catman]

They weren't illegal here when I was a kid in the 50s and 60s, but they are now. The drought is OVER. I think the bottle-rockets landing on wood-shingle roofs did fireworks in, after a few houses went up in flames.

[Guingirl]

We had that too where I was in N. CA a lot of people using bottle rockets when there were a lot of shingle roofs. Fire=Wood..anyway...they had even outlawed sparklers which I always thought was mamby pamby. Now to know my beloved county doesn't allow them in Texas...sigh..

My husband told me that I guess that just means that we have to celebrate July 4th out of town or somewhere else

Of course, I am not talking about M80s or anything like that, but simple nice cone type fireworks is so much fun.

[Synopsis]

Bedford and North Richland Hills both have pretty decent firework displays on the 4th. We watch them from our back yard (for Bedford) and front yard (for NRH).

[momof2dfw]

Out of the city limits is pretty typical throughout the state. Last year several entire counties banned them w/ the drought. We were still allowed to do them out at the lake and always do a TON! Be careful buying them across the city limit or countyline and putting them in your car and coming BACK over the line. They do and will stop you.

[junkman18]

Originally Posted by Guingirl

Just found out that they are illegal in Tarrant County which honestly is a little disappointing . Have they always been illegal? Is it strictly because of the drought?

I grew up with yearly doing fireworks in front of my house. Granted they weren't anything big and certainly not what you can get here in Texas, but I hate to think what I took for granted as a family tradition, I won't be able to pass along to my daughter. Yes, we can start new ones, I just figured that they would have something.

I love fireworks! I want more fireworks and bigger and better fireworks,
BOOM BANG keep em comming

[Lisa_from_Debary]

When I was growing up there, you could set them off outside of city limits however, I was in the DFW area for Christmas 2005 and it was so dry they outlawed them...they were having problems with fires...that whole incident might have changed how they deal with them.

The summer is pretty dry there so I would make sure before you assume rules are still current. I would call your local fire department...

One of the worst things in Texas is a grass fire out of control in the summer...I used to dispatch for the police and fire department.

[Guingirl]

I definately agree that I wouldn't want any grass fires or any property damage and you need to be smart to use them. I have seen some real idiots over the years.

The good thing is that is has been so wet here - we are in flash flood warning again this week until Wednesday. The bad thing is everything else that goes with that as well.

[junkman18]

Are you ready??