Buyers, sellers welcome return of fireworks booths to Huntington Beach

A steady stream of people flocked to 15 fireworks stands scattered throughout Huntington Beach on Wednesday, the first of four days that they could stock up on pyrotechnics for the Fourth of July.

This is the first time since 1987 that the sale and use of state-approved “safe and sane” fireworks have been allowed under city law. In November, local voters approved Measure T legalizing the fireworks, and the city adopted an ordinance in February that enabled 15 local nonprofit organizations chosen during an April lottery to sell fireworks in the city from July 1 to 4. A two-year trial in 2012 and 2013 also allowed several nonprofits to sell the items.

This year’s vendors – 15 civic, youth sports and high school organizations – opened their stands at noon Wednesday. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Use of the fireworks will be allowed only between noon and 10 p.m. Saturday.

At midday Wednesday in the Walmart parking lot at Beach Boulevard and Talbert Avenue, about a half-dozen people shopped for sparklers and fountain fireworks at the booth operated by the Kiwanis Foundation of Huntington Beach.

“It’s an exciting day for Kiwanis and I think for the city, as citizens are able to buy fireworks again and celebrate our most sacred day, the Fourth of July,” said Don McAllister, a former Huntington Beach mayor and a member of Kiwanis. “It’s the independence of our country and the independence of individuals.”

McAllister said his organization and the other nonprofits expect to net $25,000 to $30,000 each during the four-day sales period.

The groups will send half their gross income to the fireworks manufacturers, along with any unsold merchandise. The rest of the money will go to the groups’ programs.

The Kiwanis Club of Huntington Beach sponsors various programs, such as the Clothe the Children campaign, the annual fishing derby at Carr Park and the annual Easter egg hunt at Central Park.

“We hope we make lots of money because then it goes back to the community, to kids, to seniors, to the military and other places that we can help,” McAllister said.

Kiwanis partnered with TNT Fireworks for its booth. Fireworks available Wednesday ranged from $1 poppers to a 4-foot-tall box of assorted fireworks for $500.

Huntington Beach resident Lori Jones was planning to buy more than a dozen fireworks from Kiwanis.

Jones, 49, said fireworks, like the city’s fire pits, should not be taken away from residents.

“[Being able to buy fireworks in Huntington Beach] means that you’re in America, and it’s nice to have the freedom to use them in your hometown and keep the money in your hometown,” she said. “It’s all about being local.”

At the Landmark Plaza shopping center at Magnolia Street and Atlanta Avenue, the Edison High School cheer team, which recently won first place at the USA Spirit Nationals, was operating another fireworks booth.

Huntington Beach resident Kim Vanderriet, 46, whose daughter is on the cheer team, said money from the sales will help pay for the team’s trips and competitions throughout the season.

“The money doesn’t benefit our cheer advisors or coaches in any way,” Vanderriet said. “It will really benefit all the girls because it will offset fees.”

Jon Raus, 28, an Orange resident who works in Huntington Beach, said he played basketball in high school and understands the struggles high school teams and booster clubs go through when raising money for their programs.

“It’s going to bring money back to the city, and this is all for a good cause,” he said. “It’ll put money back into the schools and these sports programs.”

The nonprofits and the locations of their fireworks stands are:

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9557, 8492 Warner Ave.

• Huntington Beach Lions Foundation, 10085 Adams Ave.

• Knights of Columbus Council 6020, 18593 Main St.

• Huntington Beach Family YMCA, 9045 Adams Ave.

• Kiwanis Foundation of Huntington Beach, 8230 Talbert Ave.

• Team 90 Inc. (California Rush Soccer), 5241 Warner Ave.

• Huntington Beach Oilers Youth Football and Cheer, 17701 Beach Blvd.

• NHB Futbol Club Inc., 21082 Beach Blvd.

• South Huntington Beach Girls Fastpitch Softball, 19640 Beach Blvd.

• Huntington Beach Girls Softball Inc., 16672 Beach Blvd.

• Ocean View High School cheer program, 6967 Warner Ave.

• Ocean View High School girls water polo, 16600 Bolsa Chica St.

• Ocean View High School girls basketball, 19081 Goldenwest St.

• Marina High School boys basketball boosters, 5922 Edinger Ave.

• Edison High School cheer, 8891 Atlanta Ave.