I wish I could be in Bend for the fireworks this year. They're
resuming the tradition of firing a public display from Pilot Butte, the volcanic cinder cone right in the middle of town. Most of the time you
can drive all the way to the top and park for a grand view of the city.

The tradition is that the fire department goes around and wets the
hill down as best they can. Then they dutifully drive around putting out
all the brush fires started by the fireworks. Traditionally that's only
part of the show. Some of the bigger parking lots in the area will have fireworks shows going on before, during, and after the "public" display.
These shows are put on by people who bought "the good stuff" in
neighboring states. Blackjack's, just across the river from us sells
tons of fireworks. I figure that more money was being fired into the sky
from many of the parking lots than was being fired from the Butte.

Who knows? Things *might* be a little different in Bend this year.
They banned the sale and use of fireworks, within the city limits. When
we were in Bend it seemed like the only people complaining were the
church groups who were losing money on the deal. One group figured they
were raising $25K for their good work every year. Another figured that
losing two fireworks stands would cost them $300K annually. They were
hoping to make that up with 2 new stands in the Portland metropolitan
area. Portland itself has banned the sale and use of fireworks, but
they're only a small part of the metropolitan area. Sales go on as usual
out here in the 'burbs. And BlackJacks is still open and advertising to
one and all just across the river.

https://blackjackfireworks.com/

Traditionally you can buy even better stuff from some of the "reservations" in WA.

Hey, Portland is being realistic enough to ask that people NOT call
911 to report fireworks. I don't think things will be much different
here this year.

TB

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