Meeker

Big sparks for a small town show

­MEEKER I People might think they have to head to the big city for a decent fireworks display, but Meeker residents and Range Call attendees know better.   Thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers and community support, Meeker’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display gets better every year.
“We’ve added a few nice things over the past couple of years, like the raising of the flag at the end with around 1,000 red, white and blue fireworks,” said Todd Morris. For the last 17 years, Morris has been involved in the annual fireworks show. For 12 of those years, he’s been in charge of the production as a licensed pyrotechnician and a member of Meeker’s volunteer fire department.
“I started by just being a loader and then moved into being a lighter,” Morris explained. “Then Jim Riegel retired and I took over for him.”
The fireworks show in Meeker began almost 30 years ago with “a few guys,” Bren Sullivan, Roger Clare and Jim Riegel, among others.
“Roger Clare still comes and does the pageant and then the fireworks. He lives with his family in Grand Junction but comes home every Fourth to help out. Jim Riegel always stops by while we are loading and looks over everything to make sure there are no mistakes or traps to get someone hurt.”
Unlike many towns, Meeker’s fireworks show is entirely dependent on public and private donations.
“When I took over we had a $3,500 show. Now it’s more than $10,000. We’ve been getting our fireworks from Fullom Fireworks ever since Jim was in charge, so we get a discount.”
The fireworks are ignited from the top of the hill near the cemetery. A team of 11 people, plus four fire department trucks and an ambulance, take time away from their own families on the Fourth of July to create a display that’s easily comparable to any of the larger communities in the region.
“They do it because they love it and they are serving their community. I know that without them this would be a tough job to do.”
The 11-person team includes three “can tenders,” six loaders and two shooters. The loaders load the shells. The can tenders keep the lids on the trash cans in case there is a low break or a fire. The shooters have their own bank of shells.
“Butch Smith shoots one (bank) and I shoot the other. Butch has been there as long as I have.”
On July 3, Morris and Smith put the fireworks together. At 8 a.m. on the Fourth,  they get all the pipes together and clean them out so there is no debris inside. The finale fireworks (at the beginning and end of the show) are loaded, usually by early afternoon.
“We have to tie all of them together with quick match, which is a type of fuse that is faster then the blink of an eye.”
The loaded fireworks can’t be left unattended, so Morris and Smith wait for dusk to fall. After the 35-40 minute show the team stays around for an hour or so to check for stray sparks. The following day, the 4-H sheep club cleans up the area.
Donations can be sent to the Meeker Fire Department, at P.O. Box 737, Meeker, CO 81641. “Without the support of the local businesses and community this money would be hard to come up with,” Morris said. Everyone who donates receives a mention in the newspaper.
The proximity of the fireworks to town makes for great viewing from almost anywhere, but Meeker Town Park and Circle Park are perennial favorites. From those vantage points, the fireworks seem to be directly overhead. A collective round of “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd accompanies the display in a fitting close to the celebration of our nation’s independence.
This year’s fireworks display will begin at dark on Monday, July 4.

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  • Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
  • Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
@bailey_waldref_rew 

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Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
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Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
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@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! @bailey_waldref_rew 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
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The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
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Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
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The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
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