Fourth of July: Upload Your Fireworks Photo, Win a Schiller's Gift Card

You could win a $50 gift card to Schiller's by uploading your favorite July 4th fireworks photo! Our brief guide will help you capture those sparkles in the sky, whether you're using a point-and-shoot or DSLR camera.

Do you like taking photos? Do you want a fun challenge, and a chance to win a $50 gift card to Schiller's Camera and Video in Brentwood? By uploading your favorite July 4th fireworks photo to this article, you'll automatically be entered into a random drawing for the gift card! Your photos will also be showcased across Patch. Just click "Upload Photos" above the article to submit your favorite photo. After the the fireworks have cleared on Independence Day, we at St. Louis Patch will randomly select a winner. This contest will run from June 28 to Tuesday, July 10. How to shoot photographs of fireworks Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera. Read the …

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'Put Safety First' with Fireworks; Teen Loses Both Hands

Every day there are 200 injuries surrounding July 4th, spokeswoman says.

With burn bans, excessive heat and local regulations, there are few places in St. Louis County where personal fireworks use is permitted this Fourth of July. But as a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission spokeswoman says on a video included here, "put safety first" whether you are attending a professional display, or in your own backyard. A teen, Justin Henderson, shows how he lost both hands mixing chemicals on the video here. "When it goes off, it can really change your life," he said. "It's not worth it." If you are going to use firecrackers, remember to watch out for dry conditions.  The American Red Cross also offers these helpful safety tips for personal firework usage.

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Chesterfield Fire Marshal Bans City Fireworks Displays July 4

Heat and dry conditions the cause. Read his email.

The Monarch Fire Protection District has suspended all fireworks display permits due to the extreme dry conditions. I have been monitoring conditions for the past week, and hoped to wait until July 3rd to make this decision.  Upon looking at the conditions today, and not seeing any relief between now and July 4th, I decided to go ahead and notify all parties so they may come up with alternate plans. I regret having to make this decision, but feel it is the right thing to do given the conditions. Roger N. Herin, Fire Marshal, Monarch Fire Protection District Herin later told Creve Coeur Patch Editor Gregg Palermo that the situation is in a holding pattern, and that once the suspension is lifted, the displays will be able to go off without …

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MAP: Where To Buy Fireworks for July 4th Near Chesterfield

Fireworks sell/buy/use is banned in St. Louis County.

For a quick "where to buy fireworks" guide near Chesterfield, use this map of Jefferson County locations. Fireworks sale are banned in St. Louis County, which is where Chesterfield is located. But Chesterfield hosts its annual fireworks display and celebration with music, food, and inflatables for kids, in the Chesterfield Mall parking lot. Opens 7pm, fireworks at 9:30pm, July 4. July 4th falls on a Wednesday this year. Which weekend are you making a three-day holiday? Or taking off the whole week to get away? Check out "Black Market" fireworks. You can't miss the huge billboard about it on I-44 in Fenton/Valley Park area. However, use caution in firing off your own fireworks. Doctors say eye injuries are one of the most common from …

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Jean Whitney

4:52 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012

Good point!   more ›

Chesterfield Fireworks Display Draws Oohs and Ahhs

A relaxed crowd made up mostly of families with young children gathered in the parking lot of Chesterfield Mall to socialize, listen to music and celebrate the Fourth of July with the boom and sparkle of a fireworks display.

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How to Photograph Fireworks

A "Patch" photographer gives advice on capturing the sparkle in the sky.

Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera. A short tutorial in the photo captions will help you capture the rockets' red glare this Fourth of July.   Equipment needed:

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Chesterfield Residents Should Leave Fireworks Displays to the Experts

The use of fireworks is against the law in St. Louis County, but it is permitted in Franklin, Jefferson and St. Charles counties.

If you live in Chesterfield and were planning to hold your own fireworks display to celebrate the Fourth of July, you may want to think twice. That’s because the sale, use and possession of fireworks in St. Louis County is illegal. “The ban also includes all 91 municipalities included within the county,” said Mac Scott, a county spokesperson. “Violation of the law could cost between $50 and $1,000. The fee is at the discretion of the judge.” Rick Eckhard, a spokesman for the St. Louis County Police Department, said his office steps up patrols around the holiday and typically receives an increased number of calls regarding the use of fireworks. Eckhard did not have any statistics on the number of tickets handed out for fireworks violations…

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Fourth of July Events Abound in the St. Louis Area

"Patch" has the scoop on where the parties are to celebrate our nation's freedom.

If you're looking for a way to celebrate the Fourth of July, the St. Louis area has it covered. With a vast array of fireworks displays, parades, live music, fairs and festivals, there's no shortage of activities. Here are five of the largest Independence Day events in St. Louis: Fair Saint Louis When: noon–10 p.m. July 2, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3 and 4 Where: Gateway Arch grounds Parade: 10 a.m. July 2 at the corner of Fourth Street and Washington Avenue Entertainment: Steve Miller Band at 7 p.m. July 2, Maroon 5 at 8 p.m. July 3, Montgomery Gentry at 8 p.m. July 4 Fireworks: 9:15 p.m. July, 2, 3 and 4 Activities: Air shows, live music from local bands, children’s entertainment, concessions O’Fallon Heritage & Freedom Fest When: 5 p.m.–…

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News With a View

Despite Recent Layoffs, Chesterfield Shells Out Cash for Fireworks

Turns out sales tax systems are to blame for what seemed like a disconnect.

There is very little controversy in Chesterfield, which is saying something for a city of almost 50,000 people. City council meetings are not only civilized compared to neighboring towns, they are downright boring. In fact, last week’s council and planning and public works committee meetings were cancelled with nothing pressing on the agendas.     But there are two things that have come out of Chesterfield City Hall that bother me. The first was in September, when the city laid off 17 employees and eliminated 19 positions. “We are overstaffed. The demand on our services because of the economy is down,” former Chesterfield Mayor John Nations told KMOV on Sept. 29. Nations was right when it came to the planning department. A recession will …

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