Fourteen Manteca non-profits will win  the highly coveted lottery to sell fireworks June  28 through July 4 in 2022.

Applications are now available from Manteca Fire Station No. 2 at 1154 South Union Road or by emailing fire@mantecafire.org.

 The deadline to apply is Friday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m.

 A lottery will be conducted in Council Chambers, 1001 W. Center St., on Jan. 22 at 4 p.m.  to fill the fireworks stand openings for 2022. Prior to the lottery, the Fire Chief Dave Marques will have determined which organizations have met the eligibility requirements, as set forth in Chapter 8.08 of the Manteca Municipal Code.

Safe and sane fireworks sales by non-profits have been allowed in Manteca since 2004.

Then Councilman Vince Hernandez was credited with leading the effort to allow the legal sale of fireworks. His argument at the time was that non-profits could benefit greatly. He also argued it made no sense to van their sale as many Manteca families simply drove to nearby cities such as Modesto that legally sold them and then returned to Manteca to illegally discharge them..

 During the first eight years the 14 booths collectively annually grossed between $380,000 and $500,000. Typically a non-profit can upwards of 50 percent of its gross after expenses are deducted such as the price of rent, the fireworks, and other related expenses.

The amount of sales, though has dropped steadily since the first year that they were legal in Manteca. That’s because nearby cities such as Stockton Lathrop, and Ripon, made  it legal to sell fireworks as well within their jurisdiction..
There have been several attempts to reverse the decision over the years but they never got traction.

For more information call the Manteca Fire Department at 456-831.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, e-mail dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com