Jumpin’ Jack’s manager has his eye on the skies

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeff Wilkin

Share on Facebook

Save

Flood concerns mean fireworks concerns at Jumpin’ Jack’s Drive-In.

The landmark Scotia burger stand is scheduled to host its traditional Fourth of July fireworks show tonight in Freedom Park.

But heavy rains that were expected late Thursday and early today have raised worries about flooding from the Mohawk River. The show could be washed out.

Mark Lansing Jr., the restaurant’s general manager, said Thursday he has scheduled a rain date — Friday, July 12. He hopes the show can be held during its original time slot.

“We have to worry about the flooding,” he said. “It’s more of a flood date than a rain date.”

Lansing was watching the skies Thursday afternoon.

“If it falls here, that’s fine, but if it’s going to be west of here, all the runoff will make it to the rivers and streams and then will come here,” he said. “By that time, it’s a problem for us.”

Lansing said if waters are too high for tonight’s scheduled water ski performance, they’ll also be too dangerous for fireworks crews to transport skyrockets and other pyrotechnic gear to the river island used to stage the show.

A decision to either run or postpone the event will be made by 3 p.m. today. Lansing asked people to consult Jumpin’ Jack’s home page on the Internet — www.jumpinjacksdriveininc.com — or Jumpin’ Jack’s Facebook page for fireworks updates.

“That’s the easiest way for me to reach out to everybody at once instead of the phone ringing off the hook all day, one person at a time,” he said.

Lansing said Jumpin’ Jack’s fireworks shows have been held in the past during light rain or sprinkles. He hopes tonight’s show can proceed at dusk with dry conditions.

“There’s nothing we can do about it,” he said about the weather. “Unfortunately, we’re playing the waiting game here for another 20 hours or so.”