Traders Mall Will Delay Eclipse Fireworks Show

In response to concerns from local residents about a planned fireworks show during next Monday's total solar eclipse, Traders Mall in Paducah has decided to delay the pyrotechnics until after totality.

At a press conference Monday afternoon in the Traders Mall parking lot, Co-owner Richard Gray announced that instead of shooting the one minute fireworks show during totality, organizers will wait 15 minutes before setting it off. Gray agreed to the delay after McCracken County Commissioner Bill Bartleman approached him to work out a compromise. The agreement was reached in response to several nearby residents and others who voiced opposition to the fireworks on social media, saying that shooting fireworks during totality would disrupt their enjoyment of the rare celestial event.

"Mr. Gray was cooperative and wanted to be a good neighbor, but he also wanted to fulfill his commitment for a fireworks display," Bartleman said. "It still may not please everyone, but I think this is a good compromise."

Gray said that despite all of the uproar online over the past weeks about the fireworks, Bartleman was the only person to actually come to him in person to try and work out a compromise. "Bill was the only one, and I appreciate him coming and talking to us versus doing it on social media." He said. 

"I think it shows that when you communicate about something face to face, and when two people can talk in a reasonable way, you come up with a compromise, and that's what happened here." Bartleman said.

The plan, according to Gray is to shoot the consumer-grade fireworks off in the rear parking lot of the mall, so they are not in direct line with the sun. He says this should help eliminate the possibility that spectators will remove their solar eclipse protective glasses to watch the fireworks and accidentally look at the sun.

Ilah Ryan, who lives nearby says she never had a problem with the planned fireworks display.

"I don't see that the fireworks would have interfered with me looking at the sun. Now, maybe I don't know about looking at the sun, but I just didn't complain about it. I didn't see any reason to complain." Ryan said. She added that she will be attending the event, and is looking forward to the festivities.

In addition to the fireworks, Gray says there will be free hot dogs and beverages at the event. There is no charge for admission. Traders Mall is located at 6900 Benton Road in Paducah.