Like King Kong towering over New York, the massive green inflatable gorilla rises from the asphalt to announce the entrance to Firecracker Alley. A local fixture dating back all the way to the 70s, the multitude of stalls on the Tacoma outskirts sell a near-overwhelming variety of explosive entertainment.
Everything from classic Snap-Bangs and Black Cats to gigantic party packs offering enough mortars to rival a military supply bunker. And all on offer to anyone willing to make the trip and spend a few dollars.
It is a bit of a trip, however. Once a fixture at the Port of Tacoma, in recent years the annual summer market has been pushed out further into the hinterland. A common complaint among stall owners; not only has business been down, but this new location simply isn’t as much fun.
“One of the neighbors here pulled a gun on a kid for lighting fireworks in the street,” a vendor recounted as we chatted about the move. “When we were at the Port, you could buy the stuff and light it off right next door.”
A sign posted in the parking lot makes it abundantly clear, “No fireworks within 500 feet of Firecracker Alley.” Outside those 500 feet, however, it’s mostly private property.
It’s not hard to see why the rules would be so strict. The setting for this new location is particularly rural. Heavy woodlands, large, grassy fields, old clapboard houses. A misplaced spark and the damage could be hard to contain.
Even only a few minutes removed from downtown Tacoma, it’s also a quiet setting. The kind of place people imagine they’d like to retire. The kind of place where people don’t like to be disturbed.
Still, there’s plenty of fun on offer for a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Safe Summer kickoff event. Alongside the fireworks, the venue played host to a variety of food trucks, games, and family oriented activities—including a variety of bouncy houses and even an American Ninja Warrior styled “Ninja Nation” obstacle course.
A variety of booths offering information on Tribal services were present as well, with raffles and giveaways for members. The event was hosted by the Puyallup Tribe Wrap Around Program in conjunction with the Washington State Department of Commerce. Plenty to see and do alongside stocking up for summer celebrations.
As one vendor told me, when it comes to the 4th of July, “Business is booming.”
