FAIRMONT– Fairmont’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display will be held this coming Saturday, July 1 beginning at approximately 10 p.m. This marks the 30th year that the display is being conducted by members of the Fairmont Fire Department.

Most notable this year is the change in date. Rather than being held on the actual Fourth, the fireworks display will be on the Saturday before the holiday. Sam Cress, Fireworks Chairman and member of the Fairmont Fire Department, explained why the change was made.

“It’s due in part to the availability of the company. They had some labor shortage; as you can imagine there are a lot of shows on the Fourth,” Cress said.

He further explained that the department hires and buys shell from a licensed company and the company sets off the fireworks while members of the Fairmont Fire Department assist.

“The company provides a few personnel to do the wiring and a few technical stuff regarding the shells,” Cress said.

A licensed company is required to set off fireworks this big and the department members also have to have background checks done in order to assist.

In addition to the company’s availability, Cress said the department has previously discussed holding the display on the weekend when the holiday falls on a weekday.

“We feel there’s a better turnout on the weekend and that’s why we changed it,” Cress said.

The fireworks are shot off over Lake Sisseton in Fairmont. The display is one of the largest in south central Minnesota and draws many people from outside of Fairmont who watch either on the lake or from the shoreline.

Typically, about 90 percent of the funds for the fireworks come from the Fairmont Fire Relief Association or charitable gambling. On top of that, the city of Fairmont contributes $1,500.

“This will be the last year that that will be available,” Cress said of funds from the association and charitable gambling. “Next year we’ll have to completely revamp our fundraising efforts and find a different source for the 2024 show.”

He said the funding source is changing because of the change to E-tabs that the legislation passed earlier this year.

This year’s show cost about was $25,000.

“Keep in mind, that $25,000 is buying us what $20,000 bought us in 2019. We’ve had to really tighten down on our spending and fine tune what we’re getting to maximize the budget we have,” Cress said.

He also said that he’s heard people question why their tax dollars go to the fireworks but pointed out that the show isn’t associated with the city of Fairmont and that the fire department members assist on a volunteer basis.

“The Fairmont fireworks is a separate 501(c)(3) organization and is not associated with the city of Fairmont,” Cress said.

The fireworks display usually last about 20 minutes and while the hope is for the whole community to get out and enjoy it, Cress offered some safety tips for those who plan to shoot off their own fireworks.

He said first people should always make sure to use legal fireworks.

“Once they’re shot off, soak them in water to make sure they’re out,” Cress said.

Fireworks should not be held in your hands, but rather always set on the ground and pointed away from people or buildings.