Organizers say fabulous Fourth is planned

Skip O’Fallon for 20 years has been the man behind Bonners Ferry’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

This may be his finale.

“I’m looking for someone to take over,” said the vice-president and manager for Mountain West Bank, the primary sponsor for this Saturday’s show. “All of my family is involved (as is) my wife, both of my daughters and son-in-law. I think it’s time for me to move on.”

The person who steps in won’t be alone. A team of experienced local “pyrotechs,” who will help with this Saturday’s 30- to 35-minute 10 p.m. show from Boundary County Fairgrounds, is part of the package.

O’Fallon got involved with the fireworks after moving to the area, meeting with Bonners Ferry Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis, and learning no one did fireworks.

“So I spent the next three to four months talking with different people,” he said.

O’Fallon learned anyone with a Class 1, 2 or 3 certification in explosives could set off fireworks. He found one such guy — former Bonners Ferry resident Wayne Stewart with the National Guard.

That was the start of a 20-year tradition, which included two missed years. Last year’s show was canceled due to an unexpected delay in getting fireworks from China due to an earthquake coupled by a death in O’Fallon’s family.

Planning the fireworks show takes about 10 days over three months, he said.

O’Fallon first places a tentative order for fireworks and then raises the money. Mountain West donated $2,500 toward this year’s display. He also gets money from about 100 regular supporters.

While cities like Spokane and Coeur d’Alene do a computerized fireworks displays, it’s still done the old-fashion way in Bonners Ferry.

Two trailers are loaded with fireworks. Six are shot off from one trailer. When the next six are shot off from the second trailer, the first is restocked.

Giving up the fireworks job will be somewhat tough for O’Fallon.

“It gets in your blood,” he said.