Celebrate Memorial Day with a bang

While it doesn’t always seem to have Travis County’s best interests in mind, give credit to the Texas Legislature for at least allowing residents expanded opportunities to restock their scarce supplies of cheap pyrotechnics. In 2015, lawmakers voted to give counties discretion to allow fireworks sales ahead of three extra holidays: Texas Independence Day, San Jacinto Day and Memorial Day. On Tuesday, our Commissioners Court for the first time took advantage of its new privilege by unanimously giving the green light to vendors to sell their flashy wares beginning on the Wednesday before Memorial Day, a.k.a. the last Monday of May. Fire Marshal Tony Callaway told the court that a handful of retailers had requested the chance to open up shop at a limited number of stands and stores. He also explained that the new law mandates a decision by May 15. Once that decision is made, it cannot be rescinded by any decision to enact a burn ban in the county. But in case there is a burn ban, residents only have to wait it out before they fire off their amateur artillery. “In unincorporated areas of Texas, fireworks can be used 24/7 throughout the year,” Callaway explained.