Cannon sounds for the final time at Lions Field

There will be no more resounding booms following Clear Lake touchdowns at Lions Field.

Mike Keefe says that after 11 years he is retiring the cannon he built to celebrate success on the gridiron.  Last Friday night he and friend Rex McChesney, along with members of the fire department and others, set off their final salute from beyond the north endzone as Clear Lake topped Hampton-Dumont, 20-7.

“It’s been a lot of fun, but it’s time to retire it,” said Keefe.  

Keefe built the cannon while still working for the State Fire Marshal’s Office and continued to sound the device even after he retired a few years ago.  

“It uses an electric match, like what is used for fireworks, and I have to make the shells for it,” he explained.  “Now that I’m no longer at the Fire Marshal’s Office, it’s harder to get the materials, so this seemed like a good time to retire the cannon.”

Keefe said he has had offers for others to operate the cannon, but has declined due to potential liability.