Fireworks demonstration held in Fruitland

FRUITLAND, Mo. (KBSI) – A fireworks demonstration was held over the weekend.

Many took part in a sneak peek into what the Fourth of July could look like in Jackson at the Hoffman firework’s demo.

That’s why the show was held earlier this year to prevent a potential disaster.

The fourth of July is usually celebrated with bar-b-ques, tailgates, parades, festivals and of course fireworks.

For the last couple years, southeast Missouri has been running into one major problem with the holiday…dry season.

Fruitland Fire Protection District Chief Rob Francis says an early display could be something for cities to consider.

“It might be a good idea with the dry weather we’ve had in the past, and that’s one of the safety things we have to watch how dry it gets around the fourth,” said Francis.

In Jackson, Hoffman Family Fireworks puts on a demonstration for the community in early June.

The owner, Rick Hoffman, says with 1,500 people at the event, they’re looking to help raise funds for the Missouri Veterans Home.

“What we do is we always try to have something for the veterans,” said Hoffman, owner of Hoffman Family Fireworks. “The fourth of July celebrates our freedom. We wouldn’t have freedom if it wasn’t for those veterans that went overseas, wherever they happened to go to protect that freedom, so we feel very dedicated to the veterans.”

The display was enjoyed by many and Francis says it came at a good time with the perfect weather.

“Made sure we had everything out here that we needed, in case they had an accident or an emergency which they didn’t which was great,” said Francis. “The rains this morning really helped, it was greened up.”