Fireworks tradition put on hold

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)--It’s a tradition rooted in American independence:  Setting off fireworks on the 4 ^th of July.  But this year, the skies will look a lot different across northeast Indiana thanks to burn bans .

Because of the drought, almost every county in northeast Indiana is under a burn ban.  For most of them, that means no personal fireworks.

Justin Lott is visiting his future family at their lake home in Tri-Lakes for the holiday weekend.  He and his fiancé traveled all the way from Manhattan and received what he calls disappointing news Wednesday.

"We don’t get to have fireworks in Manhattan or DC where I grew up.  But one of the things that they wanted to do and I was kind of excited to do is set off some fireworks," Lott said.  "I can understand where they’re coming from, but on the 4 ^th of July it seems like it’s the right time to make an exception."

Andrew Tate on the other hand comes to Tri-Lakes every year.  He normally spends hundreds of dollars on fireworks.

"Normally we’d go down maybe to Portside Pizza, spend some money, buy some fireworks and go all out.  But this year, you can’t shoot anything off," Tate said.

Portside Pizza and Skyrockets is his store of choice.  Owners say their large display is still up in the air.

"We’re still hoping to having it but it’s kind of out of our hands right now.  It’s up to the commissioner whether we get the green light to put on the show," said Mike Mast, co-owner of Portside Pizza and Skyrockets.

The same stories of understanding, but disappointment ring throughout northeast Indiana as the tradition is put on hold.

"I can’t remember a time where this had happened," said Mast.  "[There are] a lot of disappointed people."