Email
Print
It's boom time: Fireworks sellers hope you'll have a blast July Fourth
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: July 1, 2009
FORT MILL, S.C. - Fireworks stands south of the border are preparing for the annual rush of North Carolinians hunting for showy Independence Day displays.
Along Carowinds Boulevard -- where red, white and blue streamers are out like Christmas trimmings -- store owners aren't sure if the sagging economy will help or hurt them.
They worry that tight budgets won't have room for fireworks. But they're hoping with more families staying home and good weather predicted for July Fourth, that people will splurge on fireworks as a low-cost form of entertainment.
"Fireworks are like alcohol," says Cory Worf, who runs the House of Fireworks in Fort Mill. "People will always drink when there's a recession, and people will always shoot off fireworks."
South Carolina is a popular destination for fireworks because of less-stringent laws governing them.
In North Carolina, anything that leaves the ground or explodes is illegal.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are reminding revelers that some fireworks sold in South Carolina can be dangerous.
They made their point Tuesday with a demonstration of powerful S.C. fireworks. They used an M60 to mangle a plastic glove filled with meat. They used other explosive fireworks to obliterate a watermelon.
They're urging families to stick with professional public fireworks shows. Although many such displays have been dropped or scaled back nationally, the Charlotte region offers dozens of big shows.
Americans spend more than $630 million on backyard fireworks each year, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association.
Executive Director Julie Heckman predicts a "banner year," mostly because of the economy.
AAA Carolinas estimates about 3 percent fewer motorists on the roads this holiday weekend compared to last year.
That means more neighborhood parties and family get-togethers -- and more backyard fireworks.
"To me, fireworks are the Fourth of July," says Mike Hayden, who lives in Fredericksburg, Va., but shopped at Fort Mill's Red Rocket Fireworks store this week. He's hosting a small neighborhood display.
"You have to have fireworks."
At least four fireworks shops along Carowinds Boulevard, about a mile south of the N.C. state line, are luring shoppers with discounts and deals.
Big Daddy Fireworks has a buy one, get one free promotion. It will also sell Roman candles for 50 cents each.
Despite city budget shortfalls across the region, most shows in the region are going on as planned.
Some will be shorter and offer fewer booms, but in many cases private sponsors stepped in when cities cut back, said Sally Knox, vice president of Piedmont Pyrotechnics.
Charlotte's Red, White and Boom fireworks -- hosted by several corporate partners -- are set for 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Email
Print
