'99 HEADED OUT WITH A BLAST ROSAMOND CIVIC GROUPS LEGALLY SELLING FIREWORKS.

Byline: John Sanders Staff Writer

ROSAMOND - It's not the Fourth of July, but fireworks are being sold from two stands to bring in 2000 with a bang.

The only two fireworks stands in the Antelope Valley are in business in Rosamond, where Kern County officials OK'd New Year's Eve fireworks displays.

"It's the millennium. We've got to celebrate. It's worth celebrating," customer Bob Carey said. "But I don't think it's anything to get scared over or be paranoid about. We're pretty privileged just to see the millennium come. I know ever since I was a kid I thought about it."

Los Angeles County fire officials, however, warn people not to bring fireworks back over the county line, because shooting off even ones labeled safe and sane is illegal in Antelope Valley south of Avenue A.

That goes for Palmdale, which allows Fourth of July fireworks but not pre-New Year's Day fireworks sales.

At one of the Rosamond stands, sponsors are helping to raise money for the Rosamond High School athletics department. At the other, money is being raised to buy equipment for the Kern County search-and-rescue team.

Terri Murray, a member of the Rosamond High School sports booster club, said fireworks are being sold at the stands for those who intend to welcome 2000 with a blast. "Hopefully these will be a little safer than shooting a gun off in the air."

Murray said the boosters hope to raise $2,000 to $3,000 to buy new equipment for the athletic teams.

Shoppers are excited about the end of the century.

"It only happens once in a lifetime, not every lifetime," Lancaster resident Mark Peterson said. "So I'm pretty stoked. I'll be waiting for it for a while."

Although a Lancaster resident, Peterson said he plans to shoot off his fireworks legally at a party in Rosamond.

The Rosamond booths sell the type of fireworks that do not shoot into the air.

"We decided to do it just to kind of see what happens, because right after Christmas it's kind of hard to say what kind of money people are going to want to spend," search-rescue volunteer Gary Luckeroth said. "We're selling them this year for the millennium as an added fund-raiser."

FIREWORKS TIPS

--Observe local laws.

--Follow the printed instructions on the fireworks carefully and use common sense.

--Use fireworks outdoors only in a clear area away from houses and buildings.

--There should always be an adult present when fireworks are used. Never give them to small children.

--Light only one item at a time and move back quickly once the fuse has been lighted.

--Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

--Don't experiment with or use homemade fireworks.

--Put used fireworks in a bucket of water and have a hose ready.

Source: Office of the State Fire Marshal.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color in AV edition only -- 1 -- ran in in AV and SAC only -- 2 -- ran in AV, SAC and Conejo edition) At a fireworks stand in Rosamond, Bob Carey Jr., 14, shows the monster snaps his father, Bob, bought him. Far right, Volunteer Gary Luckeroth shows some of the fireworks.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

Box: Fireworks tips (see text)