Murfreesboro, TN - Perhaps you recently moved to Murfreesboro from a different part of the nation. WGNS wants to make certain that you are are "up to speed" on Southern traditions.

Yes, fireworks on New Year's is a long-standing tradition in the South. In fact, Southerners have such a fondness of fireworks that they used to shoot them off at Christmas, even more than on Independence Day.

The tradition of celebrating the New Year with noise, including fireworks, originated in China. They were invented to scare away evil spirits. The Southern tradition of making noise at midnight on New Year's Eve is said to drive away bad spirits and ill intentions.

FOOD TRADITIONS 

Other Southern New Year's traditions include certain necessities with your dinner: collard greens, hoppin' John, black-eyed peas, cornbread, and potker is said to bring good luck for the New Year. The greens are extremely important, because they represent money in the New Year. I clearly remember my mom cooking pennies in with her black-eyed peas. You always had a pinch of extra "good luck" if you got the dish with coins. Hmmm, I don't ever recall a relative choking from the money in food, but be careful when you "bite down."

In the South, is believed that these two things (food and fireworks) matter more than anything else on New Year's Day.

Local FIREWORKS REGULATIONS

In Murfreesboro, fireworks can only be used from 10:00AM on Dec. 31, 2024 through 1:00AM on Jan. 1, 2025. Also, 10:00AM - 11:00PM on New Year's Day. You cannot use fireworks on public property or any other property without permission. You also cannot use fireworks within 600 ft of a church, hospital, or public school.

You must also be at least 16-years-old to legally use fireworks here. To purchase, you must also be at least 16-years-old and show a state-issued ID or be accompanied by adult. You cannot sell fireworks to anyone under 16, intoxicated, or irresponsible.

You cannot use bottle rockets, reloadable fireworks, or-type fireworks within thefreesboro city limits.

You must follow instructions on the and warning labels. You should never throw or point.

Good luck--now, enjoy a safe and fun 2025 New Year's celebration!