Truman bringing back fireworks for 250th
“We\\\'re always community-minded people, willing to do stuff for the community.” — Dave Bentz, Truman Fire Department
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TRUMAN - After celebrating Truman's 125th with fireworks in 2024, the Truman Fire Department is bringing them back, with help from the community, to celebrate America's 250th.
Before 2024, firefighter and former Truman Fire Chief Dave Bentz said they had not done fireworks. At that time, when Bentz was the chief, he said one conversation sparked their initial foray into fireworks.
"A citizen came up to me and said, 'You know, it would be really nice if we had fireworks for our 125th celebration,'" Bentz said. "I was like, 'Yeah, that’d be really fun.' I talked to the fire department, and they were all on board with spearheading it. It took off from there. Then we realized it’s not something we can do every year. We thought, 'Well, 250th this year, let’s give it a try again.' That’s how it got started."
While the fire department does fundraisers, including burger bashes and side-by-side rides, they had never sought to raise a large amount of money for a single event. In 2024, Bentz said they raised around $30,000.
"The first time it took off on its own," he said. "Everybody was all excited about it in the community and chipped in, and it really went on its own. We didn’t have to work too hard at it. This time around, we’re putting a little bit more effort into it, fundraising and that, getting the word out there."
As of now, they have raised $16,000, with a goal of $25,000 by the end of next week, before the fireworks show occurs during Truman Days at 10 p.m. on July 25.
"We did a little bit of the proceeds we got from the side-by-side ride; we contributed to it," Bentz said. "Specifically for the fireworks, it’s just been mainly businesses and private people donating for it. I’ve pretty much hit the businesses around Truman, but I have had businesses from Fairmont donating, and we’re taking money from all over, anywhere around the community or area outside of Truman. These fireworks are open for everybody to attend."
Thankfully, Bentz said they will be able to hold a show with the funds currently raised, with J&M Displays already lined up to provide and set up the big show.
"We'll have a truck on site during the shoot-off," Bentz said. "In case there is a fire, we can be on it right away. There’ll be two of us there in attendance in case there’s a mishap. Two years ago, one of the shells exploded in the launch tube, so there is a reason why they have that safety perimeter."
However, Bentz said they want to be able to have as big a show as possible, especially since they don't know when they will be able to do them again.
"There’s no particular theme or anything. It’s just we’re going to shoot off some fireworks and have a few big bangers in there, and everybody likes them-the ones that really explode and shoot off a lot of sparks. It’s not something we can do every year," he said. "Maybe the 130th [anniversary of Truman] we’ll look at it again. We get pretty good reception to it, so doing it every so often is maybe a good thing."
To provide this type of spectacle for Truman, Bentz said it speaks to part of what the department as a whole is based on.
"We’re always community-minded people, willing to do stuff for the community," he said. "In a small town like Truman, there’s a limited number of people who can step up and do things. The fire department, we're just a good group of people who are willing to step up and take on projects like this for the community and make it a little nicer place to live and have fun."
For those looking to donate, they can drop off checks at Profinium Financial Bank, made out to the Truman Fire Department Relief Association and Fireworks written in the memo line. Checks can also be mailed to the Truman Fire Department Relief Association at P.O. Box 398 Truman, MN 56088. For more information, visit facebook.com/TFDept/.