Fireworks business booming in Hickman

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BY CORY MATTESON / Lincoln Journal Star

HICKMAN — The ream of receipts coiled down from the cash out table at Kracklin’ Kirks Fireworks tent like a lit black snake, writhing and expanding in the dirt with every purchase.

The biggest spenders at the first-year tent filled blue Rubbermaid tubs with 18 gallons worth of Independence Day cheer. One guy cracked the $300 mark.

Fireworks season has arrived, and Hickman welcomed it with more tents (nine) than ever.

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Janae Jurgena (left) and Dylan Kostner tend Ka-Boomers fireworks stand in Hickman on Tuesday afternoon. (William Lauer)

Janae Jurgena (left) and Dylan Kostner tend Ka-Boomers fireworks stand in Hickman on Tuesday afternoon. (William Lauer)

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Rick Moore, 14, a self-described “helper monkey,” said his family worked at a tent last year and enjoyed it so much they wanted to manage one of their own.

His mom, Pam, said they applied for a license in Papillion, where her husband, David, is the pastor at Victory Baptist Church, which will receive proceeds. 

They got denied, but were offered a spot in Hickman. A half a semitrailer’s worth of explosives later, they were in business.

On Tuesday, Rick and his 12-year-old brother, Mark, were living an adolescent male American dream. Rick has already choreographed most of his personal display, which he’d sync to “We Will Rock You” if given a sound system.

And even though Pam said she wouldn’t be surprised if the rising cost of gas made someone think twice before dropping $49.99 on an Atom Bomb, it appeared to her that sales were strong.

“I’m pretty sure it’s every human being that likes to blow things up,” Rick Moore said. “I would say anyone who doesn’t is pretty weird.”

Seemed that way. Hundreds already have checked out the Twitter Glitters, Happy Lamps and Achtungs! The big-money days, July 3 and 4, lie ahead.

Patrons hit the two tents on Hickman’s north side and the six in the middle of town. But the last stop hadn’t seen much action.

Thomas Smith got bored on a slow Tuesday and counted the dimpled rocket noses protruding from a birthday cake-sized American flag/launchpad — 1,377.

The shop, Hometown Fireworks, is owned by Stan Draper, who also runs the massive yellow tent next to the Moores’ on the other side of town. That one’s getting the big business, said Julie Draper, Thomas’ girlfriend and Stan’s sister.

She said her brother is teaming with the Moores to pony up a couple hundred dollars worth of wares to let buyers see for themselves what a One Tough Mother brings, rather than try to explain it through tangled hand gestures and whizzy noises.

The sampling is to begin at 8:30 tonight. The Hickman Fire Department, which is receiving part of Draper’s proceeds, is in earshot.

Reach Cory Matteson at 473-2655 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.