HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jul 3, 2026) – It’s a tradition almost as old as this country itself – fireworks and the Fourth of July.
With this being the nation’s 250th birthday holiday, more people may be shooting off firecrackers and other consumer-grade explosives than in previous years. Safely handling such matters before, during and afterwards is paramount, according to Holland Fire Marshal Bret Groendyke, especially in dousing the expended fireworks in water and leaving them out for a period of time afterward. He has seen too many instances of still-smoldering explosives bagged up and tossed into garbage containers too close to residences, with a blaze breaking out shortly thereafter.
State law allows fireworks to be shot off from 11 AM to 11:45 PM daily through July 4th, and Holland Police Captain Bob Buursma addressed some other restrictions during a recent joint appearance with Groendyke on WHTC’s “Talk of the Town” program. He cited setting off the fireworks only on one’s private property and not on public right-of-ways such as sidewalks or streets in front of the residence; getting permission from property owners to use their land, preventing minors from shooting off the fireworks without adult supervision, and prohibiting such actions while impaired.
The region’s municipal fireworks show, sponsored by the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, is slated for Saturday at dusk above Lake Macatawa, near Kollen Park in Holland.
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