For the past nine years, American Legion Post #190 and Auxiliary has anchored its fireworks booth in the parking lot of 201 S. Stockton St.

As it stands, it’s the only safe-and-sane fireworks booth in downtown Ripon and the major fundraising project for the local U.S. veterans association.

“We used to have a crab feed, too,” said past Post Commander Ken Lawson on Monday.

Unfortunately, the area became oversaturated with various organizations also doing crab feeds for fundraisers in recent years, he noted.

The sales of fireworks will again help American Legion provide scholarships to one student at Ripon High and one at Ripon Christian High.

Those at the booth – on this day was Lawson, Finance Officer James Moore, past Commander Ernie Tyhurst, Auxiliary First Vice President Mary Tyhurst, and Auxiliary Secretary Mikie Whitmore – indicated that sales usually pick up on the days leading up to the Fourth of July.

Across town, John and Andrea Pieretti were volunteering their time to work the Ripon High Athletics fireworks booth in the parking lot of Tractor Supply Company at 860 N. Jack Tone Road, adjacent to the Freeway 99 interchange.

RHS Athletic Director Rod Wright said that all proceeds will go to the athletic program at RHS, in particular, those helping to run the fireworks booth.

The Pierettis have a son who will be playing football for the Indians.

John Pieretti said sales were good over the weekend and he’s expecting that trend to pick up to days leading up to Wednesday’s Fourth of July celebration.

The RHS Athletics fireworks booth is scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. that day.

To contact reporter Vince Rembulat, e-mail vrembulat@mantecabulletin.com.