T-R PHOTO BY MIKE BURVEE Residents of Marshalltown and surrounding areas can now find a fireworks available to purchase in Marshalltown. This tent, operated by the Iowa Fireworks Company, can be found near the BP gas station, located at Iowa Avenue East and 18th Avenue, just off Highway 30.

Fireworks tents and retail displays have been popping up around the state of Iowa and that includes Marshalltown.

On Monday, at least two retailers had received the OK from the city of Marshalltown to sell fireworks, including a tent at the BP gas station along Iowa Avenue East and 18th Avenue, just off Highway 30.

The tent, operated by the Iowa Fireworks Company, which also has 18 other locations throughout the state, set up shop on Saturday after getting their licenses approved the day prior.

With three days open in Marshalltown, company officials estimated that $15,000-$20,000 in product had already been purchased.

“We’ve had some people come in and buy up to $700 worth,” said employee Edward Metz. “The Iowa Fireworks Company owner, Jeremiah Terhark, bought these so we could sell them this year.”

The company is a new startup within the state, after legislators earlier this year, allowed fireworks sales in the sate.

However, fireworks bought at the stand can be shot off within Marshall County, city officials rejected any efforts to fire off these explosives within city limits.

“Marshalltown had some pretty strict guidelines for us to get our license approved,” Metz conceded.

A perimeter had to be drawn around their tent, and the storage container with the other fireworks had to sit at least 25 feet away. Other rules included posting no smoking signs and having three exits, all marked.

People came from near and far to checkout the selection, including one person from Eldora.

Trevor Fisher drove north to Iowa Falls only to find a stand that had not yet been opened, so he drove the 30 miles south to the location in Marshalltown.

“I know I won’t get in trouble for setting them off,” Fisher said. “Usually I have to drive down to Missouri to get them.”

He believes the new legislation allowing the purchase of fireworks is here to stay, contingent upon consumers playing it safe.

“As long as people are happy with this and stay smart about it,” Fisher said. “If there aren’t any big incidents, they should stay legal.”

A new shipment of fireworks arrived Monday at the Iowa Fireworks Company’s tent after supplies were starting to run low.

“We’ve sold lots of Roman candles and Texas bottle rockets,” Metz said.

The stand will have products available daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through July 5. Other retail outlets and tents are expected to get final permit approval in the next several days with locations throughout the city.

Customers wishing to acquire fireworks must be 18 years of age or older to purchase.

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Contact Mike Burvee at (641)-753-6611 or mburvee@timesrepublican.com