Kiwanis Fireworks Stand to Open June 27

They're the only fireworks stand for miles around, and the is hoping residents will pay them a visit before Independence Day by reopening its annual fireworks stand on Wednesday, June 27.

Mercer Island is one of a small number of urban places that still permits the sale and use of fireworks on the July 4 holiday, and the local service club will run the stand daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. through July 4.

From the traditional sparklers and smoke bombs up to a assortments priced over $150, the stand is located in the southeast corner of the parking lot off of SE 32nd Street and is the local service club's biggest fundraiser. The club was granted a special use permit for opertating the stand by city council on recommendation by the .

Kiwanis will donate the money raised from the sales to 18 different organizations and typically raises $20,000 to $30,000 from the fireworks stand. The proceeds from all sales are divided evenly between the Mercer Island Kiwanis Club and their distributor, Tacoma-based American Promotional Events and TNT Fireworks.

At one time, the club ran three stands on the Island — one in the and another positioned on the north side of Town Center, closer to Interstate 90. But concern over public safety and the illegal use of fireworks in towns across King County resulted in most cities and towns imposing a ban on all fireworks sales. In 1992, 55 percent of residents said they supported banning fireworks from the Island, but city council allowed the fireworks sales to continue.

Setting off fireworks on Mercer Island is between 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., and not in public parks, among other regulations.

The following cities and towns in King County enforce a range of regulations on when fireworks may be discharged, listed below: