Published: July 02, 2008 09:01 am         

Annual fireworks show a go!

By Lacie Morrison
lmorrison@mineralwellsindex.com

Festive fireworks watchers won't be the only ones in the Brazos River Factory Stores parking lot Friday to watch the show this year as law enforcement personnel will also have a presence there.

“Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer graciously agreed to have two of his reserve deputies that'll be working the scene from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and their responsibilities are essentially to patrol the parking lot and ensure everyone's conducting themselves properly,” said Lance Howerton, Mineral Wells city manager.

He added that local businessman Jerry Long is providing port-a-potties and the city's parks and recreation department will set up trashcans.

“On Saturday, our parks crew will pick up the trash cans and Mineral Wells Volunteer Fire Chief Steve Perdue agreed to supervise a group of trusties from the [Palo Pinto County] jail to do cleanup the following morning.”

Performing these services is new for the city this year. The city organized patrolling officers, restroom facilities and a cleanup crew after the property owner contemplated closing the parking lot to fireworks show attendees. A property manager declined to comment Tuesday on the specific reasons that prompted the city's actions.

“Hopefully with all of these groups working together, we can make sure the premises are in good order,” Howerton remarked. “Hopefully it will work well with [the property owner] and we can continue to make the parking lot a site available to view the fireworks.”

According to Holiday Hills Country Club Manager Judy Hargis, the fireworks display will begin between 9 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Sponsored by Richard and Nancy Stuart and Kirk and Karen Horton, the annual aerial entertainment lasts between 20 to 25 minutes and has been a yearly event for more than 20 years.