Although there won’t be an official fireworks show this year, residents can organize their own private displays in the townsite, provided they use designated spots during a permitted, two-hour window.
The Haines Borough police chief, fire chief and tourism director have agreed to allow discharge of fireworks in two areas: the beach from Picture Point to the Small Boat Harbor and the Portage Cove campground to the end of the point.
People can light fireworks only in the permitted areas from 10 p.m. to midnight on July 4.
Community and economic development special projects manager Christina Baskaya said the borough wanted to ensure people can still enjoy fireworks in the townsite despite the public display falling through.
“A Fourth of July without fireworks isn’t really a Fourth of July, and we want to make sure the community knows the borough supports fun activities,” Baskaya said.
Plans for the holiday show dried up when Haines pyrotechnician Phillip Wilde said he was done putting it on. The borough tried to get a pyrotechnician from Anchorage for a July 5 display, but determined the cost and logistics were too great.
“I think people will have just as much fun shooting off their own fireworks as watching a public display,” Baskaya said.
The sale, bargaining and formal exchange of fireworks in the townsite are still prohibited.
The borough also reminds people who decide to take advantage of the two-hour window that no alcoholic beverages are allowed.