Dry conditions extinguish many fireworks plans
Firework displays won't be lighting up the sky at most of the usual places this Fourth of July after many cities have cancelled because of the extreme heat and dry weather.
Fire Marshall Roger Herin from the Monarch Fire district said there have been four or five grass and brush fires in May and June.
Among the fireworks displays that have been cancelled are Hazelwood, Vandalia, Weldon Spring, Ellisville, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Lebanon, Ill., Jefferson Barracks, Farmington, Arnold, Chesterfield, Washington, Mo., Manchester, Pacific, Eureka, Columbia, Ill., and Caseyville.
Herin said the risk of fires is much higher because it is so dry, and the falling embers from fireworks will increase the risk of grass fires, which he said spread extremely fast in these conditions. Herin said he would encourage people to water their lawns and clean out their gutters so stray embers or bottle rockets don't get stuck and cause house fires.
As of Monday, the following areas are still planning on having the displays. But check the websites to ensure that celebrations will go on as scheduled.
St. Louis | Fair St. Louis
Gateway Arch grounds
Wednesday, July 4
7 a.m. Freedom 4 Miller
8:30 a.m. Family Fun Run
10 a.m. 135th Annual Veiled Prophet Parade, "Parade Around the World"
12 p.m. Air Show, Kids Zone, Interactive Zone/Toyota Creation Station opens
1 p.m. Cultural Stage performances
2 p.m. Music Video Contest Winner
3:30 p.m. Air show
6 p.m. The Dirty Guv'nahs
8 p.m. Heart
9:20 p.m. US Bank/Enterprise Rent-A-Car Fireworks
Laclede's Landing | Rockin' on the Landing
Wednesday, July 4
http://lacledeslanding.com/lacledes-landing-events/rockin-on-the-landing/
Main Stage (corner of North 1st St. & Lucas St.)
- 2-4:30 p.m. - Gypsy Jones
- 5-7:30 p.m. - Dance Floor Riot
- 8-9:30 p.m. & 10-11 p.m. - Dr. Zhivegas
Pepsi Stage (corner of North 2nd St. & Morgan St.)
- 1- 9 p.m. - DJ Flyin' Brian
St. Charles | Riverfest
http://www.historicstcharles.com/includes/events/Riverfest-2012/5/
Wednesday, July 4
Frontier Park
10 a.m. Parade
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. Patt Holt Singers
2:45-3:45 p.m. The Cattani Band
4:15-5:30 p.m. St. Charles Municipal Band
6-7:30 p.m. Charles Glenn
8-9:15 p.m. Fabulous Motown Revue
9:20 p.m. Fireworks
O'Fallon, Mo. | Heritage and Freedom Fest
http://www.heritageandfreedomfest.com/
Wednesday, July 4
Ozzie Smith Sports Complex
5:45 p.m. Carolina Liar
8 p.m. Vertical Horizon
9:30 p.m. Fireworks
Alton
http://www.greatriverroad.com/cities/alton/eventsAlton.htm
Alton riverfront
5 p.m. gates open
9 p.m. Fireworks
Ferguson
http://www.fergusoncity.com/index.aspx?NID=402
Wednesday, July 4
Wabash Memorial Park
9:15 p.m. Fireworks
