Caution Advised As Butte’s Fireworks Draw Big Crowds

The annual Town Pump 3rd of July Fireworks Show here in Butte is by far the biggest celebration in Montana and this year the big night falls on a Friday.  Not only does that mean that things Uptown will be crazier than ever but you can also count on thousands of guests coming to town to enjoy the festivities

Oleksii Sagitov

This year there are a few challenges we will face, at least from a traffic perspective. Even on "slow" years when the third falls on a Monday or Tuesday, traffic from Front Street and above gets a bit congested to say the least.  This year, the Centennial Avenue Bridge, which leads to Excelsior and the Big Butte area where the fireworks are lit off, is closed for construction.  While this route is not as heavily travelled as are Montana, Main and Utah Streets you can count on the closure causing delays, especially during the hour or so after the finale.

The secondary streets?  It would be advisable to take a main route to the Uptown area if that's where you're going.  Butte citizens spend more on fireworks than some small countries spend on their defense programs and the further north you go, the more private parties and fireworks shows you are going to find.  That means lots of pedestrians, many of them young or under the influence.  They won't be paying attention so drivers must be on high alert.

If you're thinking of driving yourself. well, don't even think about it.  In addition to the sizable law enforcement presence that will be seen, July 3rd has seen many tragic alcohol-related events mar the celebrations in the past.  Don't be a part of another.