What happened?
At an Oct. 8 meeting, Fort Bend County commissioners unanimously approved the sale of fireworks in honor of Diwali, a religious festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. The celebration, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over one billion people worldwide, according to an Oct. 8 news release from Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy.
“Fort Bend County is home to tens of thousands of Asian Americans who celebrate Diwali, and we are so proud that we are able to enable residents to participate with a bang,” McCoy said in the release.
The item comes after the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 608 in 2023 to allow fireworks sales during Diwali with approval from a county’s commissioner’s court, according to the release.
What they’re saying
Several residents, including resident Bharat Patel, spoke in favor of the item, saying fireworks are an essential part of the cultural celebration.
“Diwali fireworks are an essential part of the festival celebration deeply rooted in tradition and culture,” he said. “They symbolize the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and it reinforces cultural heritage.”
What else?
Commissioners also approved a ban on the sale and use of certain fireworks including “skyrockets with sticks” and “missiles with fins” in unincorporated areas of the county, although other permissible fireworks are still eligible for use, according to agenda documents.
The restrictions come with a countywide outdoor burn ban effective Oct. 8, due to increased drought conditions across the state.
Looking ahead
Fireworks can be sold by permitted retailers from Oct. 25 to Nov. 3, according to agenda documents.
Diwali begins Oct. 29 and concludes Nov. 2.
