
Fireworks vendors in the Black Hills remain hopeful the New Year will start off with a bang.
Mark Lantis, Manager of Lantis Fireworks in Piedmont says so far, business has been good. The store opened its doors Friday for the short fireworks season which ends January1. Lantis says judging from the amount of calls he's already received, he's hopeful this short season of sales will make up for a dismal July 4th season, which this year was a victim of South Dakota's severe drought.
"Our business was down when all said and done 80%," said Lantis. "I don't
think we could make that up in the 4 or 5 days that we have to sell now, but it
would be a nice addition if we could make some of that back."
The use of fireworks is not allowed within Rapid City or a one–mile area surrounding the city with the exception of certain novelty fireworks. Fireworks are also banned in the Black Hills Fire Protection District.