HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. -
Hendersonville police officers plan to put increased attention on ticketing people who violate the city's ban on fireworks.
"The weather has been very hot and one grass fire could lead to a whole subdivision catching fire," Master Patrol Officer Reginald Marshall said. "It is just very important that everybody cooperates with us this year."
If a person is caught shooting fireworks inside the city limits, they face up to $188.75 in fines, as well as having to appear in Hendersonville's City Court.
The ban on fireworks in Hendersonville is not a new ordinance, but this year due to the dry conditions police plan to toughen their enforcement of the ban.
"It has been enforced in a leisurely manner," Marshall said. "Instead of writing a written warning or giving a city citation, we have been giving verbal warnings."
Officers will be making responses to fireworks calls a priority.
The Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Freedom Festival at Drakes Creek Park Tuesday.
Organizers said the event will draw around 10,000 people to the park, with another 10,000 people watching the fireworks display from nearby locations.
In preparation for the event, organizers spent days watering nearby grass and stationed a water truck in the park in case the display sparked a fire.
The event started at 5 p.m. and continues until 11 p.m. with a fireworks display beginning around 9 p.m.
Due to the extremely dry conditions, many Mid-State areas have banned fireworks. Click here for a complete list.
