MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — Sometimes all it takes for a new Independence Day tradition to take hold is a spark.
Ruth Bouza of Bouza Fireworks was sick of hearing how Wagner never held big holiday events, so 2.5 weeks before the Fourth she walked into city hall and asked the group to put up $6,000 for a fireworks show. Staff went to work soliciting donations, and through the community they were able to match that request.
Bouza jokes that her family kicked in an extra $3,000 or so of free shells to make the night extra special. Before the show at Wagner Lake, there was a get-together with the Pink Ladies, American Legion and Auxiliary, area baseball teams, the Wagner Waves and Adventure Academy all holding fundraisers. They cooked up burgers, brats and baked beans, made delicious root beer floats and dirty sodas, melted gooey s’mores, and, of course, sold cold lemonade and bottled water on what had become a warm afternoon.
Bouza said the parachute fireworks were a huge hit. Almost 40 floated down from the sky and the kids who caught them then got to pick out a snack to enjoy. Bounce houses and bingo, horseshoes, and other all-American staples rounded out the prelude to the main event.
Bouza tells Mitchell Now that their fireworks store is a certified Black Cat dealer, widely regarded as one of the best quality manufacturers. Her family handles the prep work and choreography of each show they put on. She is proud of how they build up to the awe-inspiring grand finale. Bouza Fireworks also manages the display for the Greenwood Powwow.
When asked if the July 3rd festivities would become an annual get-together, Bouza said they had already begun conversations with the city on how to bring it back in 2027.