Fireworks

[stressedmama]

I live in the suburbs where little tents selling fireworks pop up this time of year on almost every street corner. Since every year there seems to be more and more vendors, I'm wondering how much do you all or others you know spend on fireworks each year?

I'll start. I personally do not spend any money on fireworks b/c the last couple of years my neighbors spend around $1-$2K on fireworks and a 4th of July party. We either watch their fireworks or go downtown and watch the city display. I refuse to spend my own money on fireworks as I think they are a waste, especially when you can watch "free" displays put on by professionals in larger cities and towns. The small ones are also dangerous as every year there are kids/adults reported getting burned and houses that catch on fire.

I do have other family that will let their boys spend about $200 on fireworks every year.

[ActYourWage]

I live in the suburbs where little tents selling fireworks pop up this time of year on almost every street corner. Since every year there seems to be more and more vendors, I'm wondering how much do you all or others you know spend on fireworks each year?

I'll start. I personally do not spend any money on fireworks b/c the last couple of years my neighbors spend around $1-$2K on fireworks and a 4th of July party. We either watch their fireworks or go downtown and watch the city display. I refuse to spend my own money on fireworks as I think they are a waste, especially when you can watch "free" displays put on by professionals in larger cities and towns. The small ones are also dangerous as every year there are kids/adults reported getting burned and houses that catch on fire.

I do have other family that will let their boys spend about $200 on fireworks every year.

My dad owns a firework stand and has for probably over 20 years now. So, I have had the luxury of not having to buy fireworks. I use to work there during high school and I would 'test try' some of the fireworks. It was alot of fun. Fireworks can be alot of fun. Some states have restrictions on what fireworks they can fire. There are alot of firework stands that are WAY TO HIGH. At least, that is how it used to be when I use to 'scout' other prices.

[Ima saver]

I have never bought any fireworks. We have friends that spend about $1500 on them, and they invite us over for a 4th of July party every year.

[jIM_Ohio]

$1500 is too much.

If you live within driving distance of the Michigan-Indiana border, there is fireworks wearhouse on I-69, forgot which side of the border, but you can't miss the signs.

Buy one get one free, a sams club full of fireworks packs. I can spend $500 and put on a display that will rival that of anyone. I mean anyone.

[MonkeyMama]

This is a HOT topic around here.

I actually come from an area where they are completely illegal (and largely unused). So it was a shock moving somewhere and having people set fireworks off right in front of our house, etc. Ugh.

So we will continue to spend $0 as usual.

Anyway, there have been requests to tone down the fireworks this year with all the wildfires in the state. But, boy, I don't know hardly anyone who thinks this is a reasonable request. I know a lot of reasonable people who are going on and on how this is the most stupid request ever.

Sorry I would prefer to not start any more fires.

Call me the wet blanket. But I guess it gets really ingrained in the culture. I had never even thought much about how much it all must cost.

[ActYourWage]

$1500 is too much.

If you live within driving distance of the Michigan-Indiana border, there is fireworks wearhouse on I-69, forgot which side of the border, but you can't miss the signs.

Buy one get one free, a sams club full of fireworks packs. I can spend $500 and put on a display that will rival that of anyone. I mean anyone.

$500 dollars worth of Class C fireworks will hardly be a display.

[disneysteve]

We don't spend anything on fireworks. If we want to see fireworks (which we don't) there are plenty of places we can go in the area to see professional displays for free. Every town has at least one display on the 4th.

I have to admit to being a bit of an old fogie in this department. When I was younger, I would shoot off fireworks, but the health risks and property risks are really too high to keep doing so with a clear conscience. I have some neighbors who shoot stuff off and I'm always the one peering out the window to make sure nothing comes our way that could start a fire.

[geojen]

$1500 is too much.

If you live within driving distance of the Michigan-Indiana border, there is fireworks wearhouse on I-69, forgot which side of the border, but you can't miss the signs.

Buy one get one free, a sams club full of fireworks packs. I can spend $500 and put on a display that will rival that of anyone. I mean anyone.

I believe the name of the place is Krazy Kaplans, owner of a series of the most irritating billboards ever created.

[JimInOK]

I believe the name of the place is Krazy Kaplans, owner of a series of the most irritating billboards ever created.

Krazy Kaplans....

Thinking about starting my own company: Crazy Jim's Accounting Service.


We spend $30-40/year. Basic stuff: smoke bombs, snakes, small fountains, a roman candle or two or three. Kids are allowed to light the smoke bombs with punks, I light all the rest. No rockets of any kind. Then it's off to the city display and back home to catch the DC fireworks on tivo. Can't beat the combination of fireworks, Sousa marches, and the 1812 Overture on the Capitol lawn!...... well, actually I'd trade it for watching the fireworks at Disney World!

[JanH]

We can't figure out how the whole neighborhood seems to get away with fireworks inside the city limits when it is illegal....we get a big show every year without spending a dime. However, we also watch to make sure we don't lose a car or a roof. We've had them shoot up under our car before. I dread it the years when we've had little rain before the holiday. I was a big chicken when it came to our kids and wouldn't buy them fireworks. I have family elsewhere that do a pretty safe fireworks display with their kids, but I was never comfortable with them. Some summers we would visit and once I actually gave some money towards the fireworks. And, shudder, let the kids help set them off. They are really pretty though. We would often go to see a big display put on by Dad's workplace. Now, that was pretty cool. With music and all.

[cschin4]

When I was a kid, I enjoyed fireworks. We had smoke bombs, bottle rockets, firecrackers, sparklers, "snakes' and it was an absolute blast and good memories of childhood. Yes, there are risks involved. Aren't there risks to everything? Aren't there risks to climbing trees, riding bikes or even staying inside all the time playing video games? It is part of our culture and a tradition so why can't we just enjoy it this one time a year?
Most of the fireworks today are pretty lame. Just showers of sparks. Nothing exploding. Firecrackers used to be really fun. In fact, I think the sparklers were way more dangerous than firecrackers. But, anyway, I usually buy the $50 box at Walmart.

[disneysteve]

well, actually I'd trade it for watching the fireworks at Disney World!

LOL! Folks are always surprised when I say we don't go to see fireworks on July 4th. I've had this conversation all week when people asked what we were doing this weekend.

We go to Disney World every year. We usually catch fireworks one night while there. Sorry, but there is no professional display and certainly no amateur display anywhere near here that is as good as sitting in front of Cinderella's Castle watching Mickey head bursts light up the sky above you.

[hacik.istanbul@yahoo.ca]

I agree with the majority of statements that the purchase of fireworks can be a very expensive ordeal. If you live in a major city, the quality of fireworks displays are excellent. You really don't need to buy these products unless you enjoy conducting the display yourself.
Hacik Istanbul

[cschin4]

I like watching the big fireworks. However, I also enjoy lighting and playing with the little fireworks as well. As for being "illegal", I think it is ridiculous. And, in reality, everyone around here is going to light off some small fireworks on the 4th. Obviously we don't want people setting themselves and other things on fire. But, small fireworks can be safely used.

[ActYourWage]

When I was a kid, I enjoyed fireworks. We had smoke bombs, bottle rockets, firecrackers, sparklers, "snakes' and it was an absolute blast and good memories of childhood. Yes, there are risks involved. Aren't there risks to everything? Aren't there risks to climbing trees, riding bikes or even staying inside all the time playing video games? It is part of our culture and a tradition so why can't we just enjoy it this one time a year?
Most of the fireworks today are pretty lame. Just showers of sparks. Nothing exploding. Firecrackers used to be really fun. In fact, I think the sparklers were way more dangerous than firecrackers. But, anyway, I usually buy the $50 box at Walmart.

Yes, Class C fireworks (the ones the general public can buy) are not NEAR as powerful as they used to be. The fireworks companies had to cut back on the powder that is put in them. Indeed the earlier sparklers were more dangerous than the current because the earlier ones were wire handles and the new ones are stick handles (imagine mowing over 25 1 foot wires in your yard after the kids throw them down after use). There was a time a person could buy cherry bombs or M-80s that would blow a mailbox apart, but that was before my time. Probably a good thing too.