Friday, June 28, 2002 | 2:29 a.m.
WEEKEND EDITION: June 29, 2002
When 43-year-old Las Vegas firefighter Mickey Pedrol was growing up in Las Vegas, he remembers that the Las Vegas Firefighters Benefit Association Fourth of July fireworks show was the event in town.
In the past quarter-century the show, which raises funds for retired, ailing or injured firefighters, faced competition from surrounding communities, but still was one of the biggest shows not only in Las Vegas but in the West, drawing 43,000 spectators by the 1980s.
In recent years, with so many major fireworks shows -- free and otherwise -- offered locally on and after Independence Day, Pedrol, now president of the firefighters association, and his organizers are struggling to get people to pay to see their spectacular.
"We realized we had to partner with other events to get the public's interest," Pedrol said of tonight's 51st annual LVFBA fireworks show at Cashman Field after the Las Vegas 51s baseball game. Tickets are $10, and if you buy them from a Las Vegas firefighter, the association gets $3.50. If you buy tickets at the box office, the association gets nothing.
"It's sad to see that we are not getting the crowds we used to," said Pedrol, a local resident since 6 months of age and a Vo-Tech High School graduate. "But it is also a sign that the town has become so much bigger that we can support many patriotic events."
About 3,800 people are expected to attend the game and fireworks show tonight. To purchase tickets from a firefighter call 303-3879.
By contrast, Clark County's free "Red, White and Boom" show at Desert Breeze Park on Independence Day could draw more than 40,000 people. The event features, in addition to fireworks, two stages with several musical groups performing, a car show and a skateboard exhibition. However, event officials warn, no coolers or pets will be allowed. Food and beer will be sold.
For the more culturally sophisticated fireworks watcher, the Las Vegas Cultural Affairs Division is presenting the Las Vegas Philharmonic in a patriotic concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Hills Park in Summerlin. Clint Holmes will perform.
Although concessions are available, organizers said patrons may bring picnic food to the event. Tickets are $50 for the VIP Pavilion, $15 for adults, $10 for kids 6-18 and free for children 5 and younger. On-site tickets will go on sale at 4:30 p.m., a half-hour after the gates open.
The Clark County Fire Department said permits for fireworks shows in the county have been issued for the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a Wednesday event, Desert Breeze Park, Las Vegas Hilton and Sam Boyd Stadium for Thursday, the Primadonna in Primm for Friday and Caesars Palace for Saturday. Permits for three private shows also have been issued.
The Las Vegas Fire Department said permits for fireworks shows in the city limits have been issued for Cashman Field tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday and for Hills Park and the Stratosphere on Thursday. One private show permit has been issued.
Henderson is putting on its free ninth annual Fourth of July fireworks show from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Thursday at Morrell Park. A free bus shuttle service will be provided between the park to Basic Road and Water Street, where there will be additional parking.
North Las Vegas is hosting its third annual Independence Day Jubilee from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at James Seastrand Park. Performances by John Earl & the Boogieman Band and Exit 12 are slated. Admission is free and outside food and drinks are allowed.
Santa Fe Station is hosting an event Thursday starting at 2 p.m., featuring music and food and concluding with an 18-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, with children 12 and under admitted for free.
Fire departments warn that Independence Day is the busiest day of the year for them because people set off illegal fireworks such as bottle rockets and M-80s, sometimes setting ablaze homes and dry brush areas.
"On a normal day we get 500 calls, but last July Fourth we got 750," Las Vegas Fire Department spokesman Tim Szymanski said. "From 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. it just goes crazy. We will have two extra fire trucks and two extra ambulances on duty as well as extra dispatchers."
Bob Leinbach, spokesman for the Clark County Fire Department, said in the wake of exceptionally dry conditions, especially in urban areas, where construction on apartments and houses is under way, there is heightened concern.
On Friday, hundreds of booths operated by nonprofit groups began selling "safe and sane" brand fireworks, the only type that can legally be ignited in Southern Nevada. However, federal and state officials warn that even those are illegal at Lake Mead, Mount Charleston and on other wildlands.
Larry Benham, a fire prevention technician with the U.S. Forest Service, while watching a demonstration of legal vs. illegal fireworks by the Clark County Fire Department last week, gasped at one spark-spraying device and said he could see why it was illegal.
Informed by another ranger that the explosive in question was a legal "safe and sane" firework, Benham said, "In a forest that is neither safe nor sane."
"This year there are two stores in Pahrump selling fireworks instead of one," Benham said. "One of them is offering two for the price of one, so you can see the kind of problems we could have."
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