The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Publisher/Owner
Raritan, without a doubt, was the most popular place to be Sunday evening to celebrate Independence Day. Over 4,000 people were inside the field of the Moore Brothers farm, according to Scott Royer's estimate, who was busy serving juicy ribeye steak sandwiches for only $4.00 for the Tri-County Cattlemen.
The cattlemen, who had 375 steaks prepared, had also reserved 100 steaks for the firemen and volunteers to feast on after the 25 minute show.
"The 4,000 just includes those inside the fences," Royer said. It doesn't count the hundreds of cars who were bumper to bumper for two miles outside along the road.
Although there was only Henderson County Deputy Matt Link on the ground to directing traffic, "everything went pretty smoothly," Ron Gipe said, Raritan Fire Chief.
Gipe agreed there must have been over 4,000 inside the field.
"I think this is one of the biggest crowds I've seen in a long long time. We were parking them and they just kept coming in and coming in. We just kept parking them out farther and farther."
The Moore Brothers have invited the public to their farmland to view Raritan's fireworks since 1977. This year the pasture was 4 miles south of Raritan, just north of their home where three of the brothers live.
Gipe felt the good weather and the fact they had changed the fireworks to the 3rd to avoid competing with other shoots, have been the reason for their success.
They see a larger crowd each year and people from a larger area: Iowa, Galesburg, La Harpe and beyond.
"Most of our volunteers have jobs, so by moving it to the 3rd, we had more help the day after, putting things away and tearing down.
Before going to the Moore Bros., firemen would alternate among farms. In 1976 it was on the farm where Kenny Dixon lived, Moore said.
"Next year it will be a special event for the 150th. The community is planning a two or three day celebration, and there will be a lot more fireworks.
THE PREPARATION
Shoots for a fireworks display are done several months in advance, Gipe said.
Shells must be ordered, the ground displays decided upon and built.
"We make everything ourselves. "When it comes around for the shoot, we spend several evenings putting the ground displays together - organizing the different colors. There's a stick the size of a pencil - about five inches long with gun powder in it we place, such as for the flag display in red, white and blue. We hook all those together and with one touch in one spot, it lights the whole flag."
I think they enjoy the ground displays at Raritan: This year we had 4 different smiley faces, the last one was upside down. We also had the U.S. flag, fire truck and the liberty bell.
Gipe explained that displays each have one separate mounting, are fused, and taped. By the time you get all the lumber together -It takes several days with firemen and other volunteers to prepare for the 25 minute fireworks display. This year probably 12-14 firemen helped and another 10-12 volunteers.
To shoot fireworks, Gipe said you must be a certified shooter with federal and state permits.
Raritan purchases their fireworks at Yarmouth, Iowa each year and they are paid for by donations.
"Most of the time we break even or out ahead some. This year, looking at the crowd, we probably will come out ahead. Next year, we probably will use everything up. We have lost some money in the past, but it usually averages out.
"The guys enjoy doing it.. the threat of rain throws a wrench into it and makes things a little bit tough. And since it has been so dry, we have to be extra careful. We had 4-wheelers with tanks of water and we also have to watch kids with sparklers."
Gipe said when shooting, you kind of allow for a little wind. The nigh of the 4th there was no wind at all. Fireworks pretty much went straight up and straight down.
The Raritan Fire Dept. have been contracted for seven or eight years now to shoot the Macomb fireworks on the 4th of July.
"They have a much bigger budget as they are supported by the City of Macomb as well as by WIU. The show runs about 25 minutes at WIU football stadium, the same as Raritan, but with quicker shots. Raritan has less aerial and more ground."
When questioned about the big fireball on the ground Sunday night, Gipe said, "You'll have to ask Joe Kane about that one. He takes care of it."
The fire explosion is set off by an electronic charge out of a five gallon bucket. I think there is dairy creamer that creates that ," Gipe said.
"Next year we will be At The Moore Brothers again, (Bob, John, Jim, and Louie.), Gipe said. People always come early and park, sit on lawn chairs or blankets, visit, enjoys the food. This year wasn't any different. When firemen arrived already, there were two rows of cars.