“We are always looking for volunteers and we have 3-hour shifts that work best for people if they can help”

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Last week, a half a dozen wood stalls decorated with screaming colors were set up around town for the annual fireworks sales, and on Monday, they turned into small streams of customers. And, thanks to a city that opted to use a lottery system to select nonprofits to host those sites, several Dixon groups can fundraise thousands of dollars for their missions. So they hope--it has been reported that due to the pandemic shutting down the entire industry for months, there is a shortage of supplies and an increase in prices.

“From what I’ve been told, in the years past it was a good moneymaker and the money will go to the new museum,” said Carol Abrams for the Dixon Historical Society. Her husband, Paul, helped unload a truck full of boxes of fireworks over the weekend.  It is the first time this group will be hosting a booth where they will get a cut of the profits. 

“We are always looking for volunteers and we have 3-hour shifts that work best for people if they can help,” Carol said, adding that no experience is necessary.

Volunteering together affords an opportunity to get club members more involved, too. It does, however, take a lot of organizing a roster of volunteers if one doesn’t have a bunch of retirees available as the stands are open all day until nightfall. 

“Everybody knows what to do so it makes it easier,” said Leah Marlin of the Women’s Auxiliary for American Legion Post 208 that is in the Safeway Shopping Plaza. “Typically, it takes about 25 volunteers for one booth.”

Sales were not allowed until last Monday and weather offered little heat break with temps in the 90s to 100s during the week. There is a trick to survive the heat, they say: Have fun and laugh with your friends and the next thing you know, the 4th of July is here. Sales will stop at the end of the day July 4th unless supplies run out before that.

According to the Dixon Fire Department, here are the locations for safe and sane legal fireworks (TNT brand) in Dixon and the names of the groups hosting at those sites through the 4th of July: Dixon Youth Football and Cheer will be at Punjabi Dhaba, 7800 Batavia Rd; American Legion Post 208 Women’s Auxiliary will be at Safeway; 1235 Stratford Avenue. West Coast Impact Basketball Academy will be at Walmart, 235 E. Dorset; The Dixon Historical Society will have its first-time booth at CVS Pharmacy, 1057 North First Street. 

Phantom Fireworks stands will be run by Dixon Montessori Charter School at Michael’s Wine & Spirits, 1100 Pitt School Road and by the Dixon High School Sports Boosters at Dixon Fruit market, 7808 Batavia Road.