La Porte Co. residents brace for booming fireworks convention

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WLS) -- A relaxing weekend may be out of the question for residents near the LaPorte County Fairgrounds, as fireworks from a pyrotechnics convention could rattle their homes.

All is calm Thursday night at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds, but that will change Saturday when the week-long Pyrotechnics Guild International Convention begins. Sixteen-inch mortars and other gunpowder-filled devices could rattle homes and nerves.

"We're talking fireworks could be as 650 feet away from my house. These are commercial-grade fireworks, we're talking about 16-inch mortars," said Joe Haney.

Friday, the LaPorte Small Animal Shelter is moving all of its dogs, and people have been told to take their pictures off the walls and remove dishes from their shelves ahead of the convention.

"I am very concerned, not just for the stability of my house and the tact of my windows, but for my family being here," Haney said.

Pets are regularly frightened by fireworks on other occasions, like July 4, and with a week of blasts and booms expected the shelter is taking extra precautions. The dogs will be boarded at four different locations until the convention is over.

"We're prepared to deal with it throughout the week. Obviously the fireworks are a big deal for dogs especially, and we're prepared because I'm sure there's going to be some pets that are going to be running away," said Jane Bernard, executive director of the La Porte County Small Animal Shelter.

This might be a disruption for some, but others see the convention as a fun event that puts money in the local economy.

"Well last time they estimated about a $2.5 million worth of economic development, and this year we're hoping it'll reach close to $5 million," said La Porte County Commissioner David Decker.

LaPorte County commissioners say make sure any damage caused by the fireworks will be paid for.