Fireworks have been a part of the Long Beach Peninsula for more than a century. The communities in Chinook, Ilwaco, Seaview, and Ocean Park gathered for picnics, parades, contests/games, and of course fireworks, as far back as the 1890s in Ilwaco.

1890s Ilwaco parade, photo courtesy of the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum. 

In recent years a small group of people have been pushing for a total ban on fireworks everywhere on the Long Beach Peninsula, and this petition is one means of addressing their agenda. That agenda is sponsored by a small group known as the "Ban The Boom" clan and they've used deception and misperceptions to gain traction. 

In 2024 the city of Long Beach, Washington has implemented a ban on fireworks sales and personal usage anywhere in the city limits, a ban fueled by the nagging persistence from those who want to see fireworks prohibited everywhere. The town of Ilwaco initiated a fireworks ban in 2023 although plenty of fireworks were being enjoyed in Ilwaco on the Fourth of July.

Guests to the Long Beach Peninsula in 2024 can still purchase fireworks at fireworks stands/tents in the county (Pacific County) or bring fireworks purchased elsewhere, and fireworks are still allowed in the county and the beaches other than those connected to state parks or private property.

This petition is to simply gather support from anyone who has or expects to enjoy the fireworks on the Long Beach Peninsula for years to come, as long as fireworks remain legal at the state and federal levels. 

The irony of the ban on fireworks in the city limits of Long Beach in 2024 is that one of the primary arguments for prohibiting fireworks is the environmental impact with a focus on the beach and ocean yet thousands of people are being encouraged to take their personal fireworks to the beach by Long Beach city officials and those who support the Ban The Boom clan.

If you decide to support this petition, thank you! The businesses in the communities would much rather have 80,000 guests compared to 8,000 guests for the days leading up to and following the Fourth of July at The Long Beach Peninsula. No fireworks will reduce visitors drastically and for a community that relies on guests visiting, that would be devastating. 

These photos are shared from the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum and show Independence Day celebrations from the Long Beach Peninsula at least a century ago.

Long Beach circa 1924

Ocean Park parade participant circa 1905

Chinook community picnic circa 1915