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Fireworks sales have helped fund Ripon High FFA for 30 years
ripon ffa firewerks
From left, Ripon High FFA advisor Sherry Johns and parent volunteer Maribel Rubalcava display some of the firework items at the Phantom stand located at 150 N. Wilma Ave.

For over 30 years, the Ripon High Future Farmers of America organization has benefited from the sales of safe and sane fireworks.

This year is no exception.

The fireworks stand for the local FFA chapter is located at 150 N. Wilma Ave. – across the parking lot from the Coffee House – and is once again offering an assortment of Phantom fireworks.

Among the safe and sane variety are sparklers, smoke bombs, and snaps, to name a few. From now through the end of Friday, July 4, these legal fireworks are OK to use within city limits during this time of year.

Phantom and TNT – there are seven booths altogether throughout Ripon – will team up with thousands of nonprofits throughout the state each year in an effort to help raise money for various activities and programs.

In the case, the RHS FFA will use proceeds to go towards leadership and career development events.

“A big part will go to the Giving Tree, which is held in December – we buy gifts that go to needy families,” said advisor Sherry Johns.

This annual fundraiser will also help FFA students attend the national convention to receive their American Degree (the highest honor) along with defraying costs for other out-of-town overnight events and accommodations as well as supporting the annual scholarships.

Johns, who recently had the new CTE Building at RHS – along with the now retired superintendent Ziggy Robeson – named in her honor, has been with the Ripon Unified School District for 28 years.

This is the fourth location for the fireworks stand during the span of over three decades.

“During the infant stages, we were located across street in a dirt lot,” Johns recalled.

The RHS FFA stand was grandfathered to this current location, having been located across then Schempers Hardware, now known as Strand Ace Hardware-Ripon, before that.

FFA has benefited from this corner location on West Main Street and South Wilma Avenue, indicative of Saturday’s fireworks sales.

“We had an awesome first day in sales,” said Johns.

The other Ripon locations are as followed:

·         Save Mart, 1453 Goodwin Dr. – VFW Post 1051.

·         318 W. Main St. – Ripon Knight youth football & cheer.

·         206 S. Stockton Ave. – American Legion Post 190.

·         Tractor Supply, 860 N. Jack Tone Rd. – Ripon High Athletics.

·         600 W. Milgeo Ave. – Ripon House of Praise.

·         1043 S. Acacia Ave. – One Church.