Fireworks displays won't light up Fourth

July 3, 2005

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU -- Whether residents partake in Fourth of July activities in their hometown or a town an hour away, they won't see any officially sponsored fireworks displays for Independence Day 2005.

If residents light their own displays, they'll be violating Mat-Su Borough regulations that carry fines of $50 to $300, according to Ken Hudson, the borough's chief of code compliance.

Setting off fireworks is illegal in all borough towns, except on private property in Houston where the homeowner has given permission for such activity, Hudson said.

The city of Wasilla, which teams up with the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, usually puts on its fireworks display at Wasilla Lake.

This year, the city postponed its fireworks in favor of putting its money toward the pre-Iditarod fireworks show in February -- when the skies are darker -- for a better aerial display, according to Cheryl Metiva, executive director of the Chamber.

"From a financial standpoint, we'll enhance the winter festival and get more bang for the buck," Metiva said. By midnight, a lot of kids are in bed and the event intended to draw families has experienced declining attendance, Metiva said.