Ever wonder how fireworks stands spring up overnight?

"Dad, where do fireworks stands come from?" my daughter asked as we were driving the other day. She'd obviously seen the stands going up and the vibrantly colored flags all around them whipping in the wind. She, like most kids, can't wait for the Fourth of July and the fireworks that come with it.

The question could have been a lot worse, I guess. She could have asked where babies come from instead of fireworks stands! Still, I couldn't really answer her. To be honest, I didn't know. In fact, the more I thought about her question, the more I found I wanted to know, too.

How does an organization go about getting a fireworks stand?

Who puts them together?

And just where are fireworks stands stored the other 11½ months of the year?

I spoke with Ryne Conder of Phantom Fireworks in Modesto, and this is what I learned:

First, two companies sell fireworks in Modesto: Phantom Fireworks and TNT Fireworks. The city allows 70 fireworks stands between the two of them, the majority of which are run by nonprofit organizations registered with the secretary of state. On top of being a nonprofit organization, the group also must be based in Modesto and have at least 10 members who reside within the city limit. In this way, it's a sure thing that local money will go to local organizations.

Certain businesses, such as Longs Drugs in Turlock, however, aren't nonprofit organizations, but sell fireworks and simply bank their own profits.

M ost fireworks stands are run by organizations that have had stands in the past. It's not easy for new groups to get stands. This year, Modesto only allowed nine new groups. Sixty-one of the 70 fireworks stands are run by returning groups. Because there were many applicants and to keep the process fair, the nine new groups were chosen by lottery.

Once a Modesto organization has been slotted to receive a fireworks stand, has the permission of the property owner to run the stand (in some cases they pay rent) and has paid the $50 permit fee to the city, the fireworks company they've chosen, either Phantom or TNT, brings a collapsible wooden stand to the property. Representatives from the company put the structure together and equip it with signs and fire extinguishers. Sales can occur from June 28 to July 4, and each stand must close promptly at 10 each night. The same percentage is given to the organizations that sell, regardless of the company they use, and in the off-season the stands are stored in Modesto warehouses.

I used to think fireworks were on their way out in Modesto, but Conder of Phantom Fireworks said that more cities are allowing the sale of fireworks than ever before. Like them or not, they appear to be here to stay.

At least now I can answer my daughter's question.

I hope the next one will be as easy.

Mello is a Modesto teacher and a former visiting editor with The Bee. E-mail him at columns@modbee.com.