Scott family fireworks show is better than ever

By Karen Peterson

Leader Staff

ST. IGNATIUS — What better way to celebrate our country's birthday than with apple pie and fireworks? And that is just what Ken Scott thought 21 years ago when he started inviting people to his home to attend an annual picnic and fireworks extravaganza.

"Fireworks are an American tradition," Scott said. "And I'm a patriotic guy."

Serving in the military — first in the Air Force, then in the Army as a combat medic — gave Scott a great appreciation for his country. On the home front, he served in local law enforcement before retiring to become a successful businessman.

"God has blessed me in so many ways and I just wanted to do my part to say 'thanks.' So, I've dedicated this event to all of the servicemen and women. A lot of people don't even recognize the sacrifices that they've made for this country and are still making," Scott said.

When the show first got started more than two decades ago, it was pretty small, but over the years it has evolved into the main Fourth of July event in St. Ignatius, and people come from as far as Washington to attend.

"We started this with just a small family get together, then we started inviting people from the Pine Haven youth home, and then we opened it up to everyone. We've had anywhere from 200 to 800 people attend. It was a little smaller this year because it was in the middle of the week but when the 4th is on the weekend this place can be packed," he said.

Scott gained knowledge of explosives when he was in the military and he utilizes it to put on a fireworks show that could contend with any big-city display.

"I have an explosives licenses but since 9-11 it's harder to get them. 9-11 really changed the rules," he said.

Out in a hay field, far away from the crowd, Scott and his crew buried a dozen mortar tubes six feet in the ground.

"We drop the mortar in the tube, light it, and it goes up to an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 feet and explodes, covering almost a square mile in the air," he said. "The big ones, the crowd pleasers, cost between $600 and $700 dollars each. But they are worth it. You really get a good response from them."

Back at the viewing grounds, the crowd sat on hay bales and watched the display as music was played on a huge center speaker.

"I choreographed the show to a few patriotic songs that I chose," he said.

Scott provided the meat and the drinks for the picnic and everyone else brought salads, chips and desserts.

"I don't take donations — it's a potluck thing," he said. "It's a party that I really have fun doing. This is my favorite time of year, and we'll do it again next year."