Fire officials say current drought conditions across the Ozarks are surprisingly not that bad [Video]

Republic, Mo. (KY3) – Droughts were a common concern around the Fourth of July last year, but now they’re nearly non-existent.

“We take safety with the fireworks pretty seriously,” said a Hale Fireworks shopper.

On Friday, father-son duo Jody and Judah Easter chose to spend the day bonding while picking out their favorite fireworks to launch on Thursday.

“Fourth of July has always been a big holiday for me. My father and I would come out and get fireworks together. It’s an experience I want to have with my son,” said Jody Easter.

Father and son moments are what dozens of families will share over the next few days to bring in the holiday, and for the Franklins, they’ve become a tradition.

“We lost my wife in 21, and we decided, me and my son, and my youngest son… That ugh, we would celebrate the fourth of July because my …