Hamilton Fireworks Celebrates 35 Years Of 4th Of July Fun

By Bryce Frey
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For 35 years, the Hamilton Fireworks stand has been a booming tradition.

Darrell and Donna Hamilton began the stand in Orchard as way to earn a little bit of money for their wedding dance. 

The couple sold various fireworks out of the back of a pickup,and have seen their business expand into offering two locations - across the street from the Bank of Orchard and across from Subway in Neligh along Highway 275.

“I thoroughly enjoy it. And it’s just like, you know, some of those kids come back year after year and then they start bringing their own kids back in,” Donna said.

In fact,that’s probably why she enjoys it so much, she said. 

“We have enjoyed it through the years,” she said, “It is a lot of working getting started and getting set up and what-not, but once we get it going, it is the case of us thoroughly enjoying the kids and the looks.” 

As expected, the stand is quite the gathering spot for youth as they figure up just how much money they need for their favorite fireworks. 

“At the stand up here, I had a couple of kids that every year they would save their coins and they would bring a big bag in and they would set it down, ‘Okay, what can we buy with this’ and we would count out pennies and dimes and nickels.”

In celebration of 35 years the Hamilton’s will have a special drawing and prize at each location. “I am going to give away a basket of fireworks, goodies and whatever at each stand,” she said confirmed,”You spend $25 and you get your name in the drawing.”
The drawing will not be the only opportunity to get something. Their fireworks supplier, Ka-Boomer’s Fireworks is also celebrating 35 years.

According to Donna, “They will be doing a lot of giveaways, you go online, social media and all the information is in the flyer. You have a double chance of winning something.” The flyers will be available at both locations.

Donna even had a special message for all the kids out there that like fireworks, “You have got to be careful with them, you’ve got to make sure your parents know you are playing with them, and you pick up the trash when everything is done because that makes mom and dad happier and they might buy you more.”

Donna even shared how her favorite fireworks have changed over the years, “When I was a kid I liked the firecrackers. But as I got older I got tired of the ‘bangers’ and wanted the ‘pretties.’” Now she likes “the ones that go in a shape, a lot of color, the ones that have ‘flying fish.’”