Dean Hoff and a his crew of volunteers has been helping making Viroqua fireworks happen for 44 years

July 1, 2025

Communities across the United States are gearing up to celebrate Independence Day on Friday, July 4.  At most events fireworks are one of the main attractions.  Including fireworks in Independence Day festivities is a long-standing tradition that began with the very first organized celebration of Independence Day in 1777 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In Viroqua a dedicated crew of 15-20 volunteers work behind the scenes to make sure attendees of Viroqua’s annual Fireworks Show enjoy their experience.  The person in charge of the annual event is Viroqua’s own Dean Hoff.  Dean has been helping light up the sky on July 4 for 44 years.  Many of those years were spent working alongside his late father Duane Hoff.  Hoff was well known for running a business in downtown Viroqua, driving a school bus, and coordinating Viroqua’s annual fourth of July show. 

Putting together a fireworks show starts with a budget which Dean does in partnership with the City of Viroqua.  Once the fireworks are ordered, most of the work happens in the weeks leading up to the holiday but especially the day of the show.  In earlier years the fireworks were shot off from the Viroqua Park Bowl.  The decision to move the annual event to the Vernon County Fairgrounds was made when the city began to grow and change.

Utilizing the infield of the fairgrounds track enables Dean and his crew to safely set up the fireworks in steel casings that are buried into the ground.  Unlike some communities that have transitioned to using electricity to light off the fireworks Viroqua remains rooted in a more traditional approach which Dean prefers.  In Viroqua torches are used to light off the fireworks. The goal of the crew is to always have fireworks on display in the air from the beginning to the end of the show.  As the event coordinator Hoff’s goal is to ensure all volunteers and spectators are safe.  That’s why Hoff holds an annual Safety Meeting for all volunteers before the first fireworks are lit.

Putting on the annual fireworks display is only possible because of the amount of time, talent, and treasure provided.  Hoff specifically noted some of his volunteers have been helping for over 30 years.  Support received from the city; the Fire Department and Police Department help keep the show and surrounding grounds safe. Local scouts pitch in at the conclusion of the event to help with cleanup.

The City of Viroqua’s annual Fireworks Show is Friday, July 4 at dusk at the Vernon County Fairgrounds.  In case of inclement weather, the show will move to Saturday,