Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

WORLAND – This year, Ron Study with Ron's fireworks is celebrating his 30th anniversary.

The business started in 1987 when Study had Val Lass, who had a stand that had been located by the Washakie Ten turn off, move her stand to a better location. According to Study, Lass had been good friends with a girl he was dating at the time.

In 1988, Lass had left the area, and her stand was left in Study's yard on US 20, south of Worland.

A man by the name of Jim Landis with Flying Phoenix Fireworks had stopped by Study's house and had asked if Study had any interest in taking over.

"Since then I've had a number of stands," Study said. "We even had one with my cousin, Steve Newton, who took his big truck and trailer up North Rattlesnake and loaded up a good size stand by the radio towers."

Though Newton and Study worked hard for a few years, they never could hold enough fireworks.

"With the help of my firefighter buddies, we'd put on shows for the fair. After [Sept. 11] when the planes hit the towers, things really changed. Getting the bigger displays was almost impossible without special licenses and permits. So that had put a stop to that."

Study's next step had been to build a large building and open up a fishing shop. "...been selling minnows for about the same time I've been selling fireworks, and thought maybe it would work," Study said.

The shop was called Sportsmen Paradise Bait and Tackle Shop.

"I gave it a good run for a few years, and without the help of my good friend, Bob Fawcett, it probably wouldn't have lasted as long as it did. He had worked with the store while I worked out in the patch, and he worked cheap. I had the building set up with two rooms and moved the fireworks inside one of the rooms, and fishing stuff in the other room," Study said.

"We finally came to reason, better off to forget the fishing supplies and take out the wall and just stick to fireworks. That's where we are today," he said.

"Jim Landis retired a couple of years ago, and I had to end up finding a new supplier, as he was having problems getting a buyer for the company."

Study got a hold of a new company, Fireworks Over America (FOA) in Odessa, Missouri and was surprised by all the stuff they had to offer.

"I got a full color catalog showing what each thing does, and then had to get a Blu-ray player, as they sent me a disc showing all of the things they have to offer before I make my order," Study said. "Now I have a big screen TV set up in the stand, and I get to show my customers what the product does before they buy. I still have to pay shipping, but FOA has such good prices on what I buy, so it works out fine."

Even after 30 years, Study is still able to keep his prices low. A new company has taken over Flying Phoenix. Study was able to place an order with them this year and he was satisfied with the results. "In the future, I definitely plan on dealing with both companies."

Study commented on how over the years, fireworks have become louder, and have gained a wider variety of colors. Overall, though fireworks have gotten better, he's been able to keep prices about the same.

"They haven't changed yet, but with the trade wars that may happen between us and Korea, I can't guess that they'll remain the same," he said.

Depending on what day of the week the Fourth will fall on, Study comments the slight difference in sales that the business experiences. "If it falls on a week day, most people will only have the Fourth off, and have to go to work the next day, so they may not want to do as big of a celebration. However, if it falls on, let's say, a Sunday, folks will be coming in and buying loads of fireworks on Friday and set them off all weekend. They'll even come in again the next day and the next to stock up."

Study has confirmed that business has picked up the last few days, as well.

In celebration of the 30th anniversary, Study will continue his tradition of lighting up fireworks by his shop. "There'll be people who pull over on the highway to watch, which is always very nice."

"It's been a great 30 years, and I have some great-grandkids that before I know it, will be helping Grandpa work the stand," Study said. Over the years, Study has had the opportunity to see plenty of changes, to watch a lot of young kids grow up over the years that go to stock up for the Fourth of July. "To me, that's the best part of the stand. Seeing all the folks come back year after year, and watching them grow up. And, as I tell all my customers as they leave with their fireworks – See ya next year."