Following a few simple rules can avoid fireworks between neighbors.
With the approaching July 4th weekend and holiday, I’ve received inquiries and comments regarding fireworks displays at properties along and near the lake. I also saw the posts from the Facebook page last year reminding the Peck’s Lake community to be respectful of their neighbors, particularly when it comes to the duration of fireworks displays, the appropriate time to end the fireworks, and the impact that these displays can have on their pets and local wildlife.
Many of the questions/comments, as well as the post on the Facebook page, brought into question the legality of personal fireworks in New York State. There seems to be a lot of confusion about whether personal fireworks displays are legal.
Personal (without a permit) use of “fireworks,” or “dangerous fireworks,” is prohibited by state law. Prohibited fireworks include “torpedoes, skyrockets and rockets including all devices which employ any combustible or explosive substance, and which rise in the air during discharge, Roman candles, and bombs.” The state Penal Law states that “any person who shall possess, use, explode or cause to explode any fireworks or dangerous fireworks is guilty of a violation.” Fines for a first offense are a maximum fine of up to $500, and for a second offense up to $1000. Sparklers are permitted in certain instances and in certain counties. It is my understanding that Fulton County does not ban sparklers.
The point of this post is not to tell anyone what to do, or what not to do. But to remind everyone to be respectful and considerate of your neighbors and the lake community.
For some, this is their home. Others, their getaway – so keep that in mind. Remember, sound travels far across the lake, not everyone goes to bed at the same time, people have pets, excessive loud noises can upset some people. I expect that a little consideration of all these factors will go a long way towards avoiding misunderstandings.
For those who enjoy fireworks it has been a long-observed tradition to have a fireworks display at the lake. Scheduling and the cost of July 4th fireworks have made having the fireworks on the 4th of July weekend cost prohibitive. But the annual fireworks display is scheduled for August 3rd, 2024, at the Marina. So, please make any arrangements you need to for your pets etc…the display usually concluded by 9:30 or so.
We enjoy the fireworks at the lake. Even if it’s really late it doesn’t bother us (we haven’t done any ourselves in some time). We enjoy them. That being said what is considerate to one person maybe not be to another.
We grew up in the Finger Lakes and some of the lakes would have something called a “ring of fire” where at a designated time everyone would set up road flares set up about 15 feet apart on their property lines and would all do fireworks are same time (9:15-9:40pm’ish).
It was incredible and beautiful.
While we don’t have enough people at Peck at the same time to pull off a ring of fire, maybe folks could agree on a more specific time for their fireworks? Give folks a time to keep their dogs in more interior rooms where they don’t be as bothered?
I’m prob not the one to get that agreement but just a suggestion.
Not all traditions are worth keeping. And people can easily travel to the big display at Pine Lake.
I would love to see an end to the fireworks at Pecks Lake, and I am sure the wildlife would also appreciate it.