Fireworks are an essential part of any Independence Day or New Year’s celebration, and each year millions of Americans choose to partake in these festivities by setting off their own fireworks.
If you’re looking to buy fireworks, there are several options for you to consider. In addition to buying fireworks from local retailers and pop-up shops, you can also purchase fireworks online.
To get the most out of your fireworks shopping experience, it’s important to know the kinds of fireworks that are available for purchase. Different fireworks produce different effects, and you’ll need a nice mixture of fireworks to create an
impressive display.
Aerial Repeaters are essentially an all-in-one fireworks show packed into a little box, which is why they are very popular with consumers. Aerieal Repeaters generally last longer than other types of fireworks, and certain models can shoot up to 225 times. Smaller repeaters typically go for anywhere between $10 and $30, depending on the type of effect and how long you want them to last.
Also known as reloadable mortal kits, aerial shells allow you to light different fireworks one at a time using the same mortar. Aerial shells typically come in various assortments, ranging from cheap $15 shell kits to high-end $600 mortar kits that come with 120 shells.
Aerial Tubes come in two varieties: single, and multiple tubes. Single tubes fire off one big shell that produces a unique effect you typically won’t get with other shells. Multiple-tubes come with several different tubes that each have a shell, but they’re all lit with the same fuse, and typically feature a 3 to 5-second delay between each burst. Single shell aerial tubes typically cost around $25 while multiple tubes can go for as much as $180.
There is evidence of the Chinese using firecrackers as early as 200 B.C., which back then consisted of continuously heating bamboo until it exploded. This explains why the Chinese word for firecrackers is baozhu, which translates to “exploding bamboo.”
Firecrackers are a popular form of fireworks because of their relatively inexpensive cost and their availability in various different sizes and quantities. You can get a pack of 100 crackers for $4, or a pack of 16,000 for $250.
When you get bored of setting off firecrackers, you may want to give flying spinners a go. When flying spinners are lit, they begin to spin quickly and start flying upwards. Once the flying spinner reaches the end of its flight it explodes into many different colors.
Flying spinners are relatively inexpensive, costing anywhere from $4 for a pack of 10 or $13 for a 6-pack of multi-stage spinners.
Fountains produce a beautiful shower of multicolored sparks, and certain models also feature special sound effects. Fountains are generally considered to be one of the safer forms of fireworks because the sparks generally reach a maximum altitude of 10 feet.
You can find smaller hand-held fountains that cost $4 for a pack of two to $70 multi-tube fountains that last longer and feature multiple stages.
Rockets are a very popular type of fireworks and they usually come in two different varieties. The most common one, the bottle rocket, is about 1 foot long, and as the name suggests, it is generally launched by propping it up on the inside rim of a bottle. Once lit, the bottle rocket launches into the air with a whistling sound and culminates in a loud pop.
The other type of rocket is the skyrocket, which are are anywhere between 3 to 5 feet in length and they contain multiple effects like crackles and strobes.
Both bottle rockets and skyrockets come in assortment packs, and you’re generally looking to spend around $8 for a pack of 12 bottle rockets and around $30 for a 5-pack of skyrockets.
Roman candles are essentially tubes that fire many different colored shots one at a time. Depending on the model, the shot may feature different effects like flashing colors, an explosion, or a crackle.
You can get a 5-pack of 10-ball repeaters for $7 or an assortment pack of 36 candles for about $60.
Last but not least, sparklers are a fun and a relatively safe way for young children to enjoy fireworks. You can generally find two types of sparklers, one has a metal rod that emits either gold or silver sparks, and the other one has a wooden rod that burns in three different stages.
Wooden rod sparklers tend to be safer than the metal rod ones because you won’t have a hot wire to deal with once the sparkler is finished. Sparklers typically cost $4 for a 5-pack.
Before deciding to buy fireworks, however, you should check your state and local laws to make sure that you’re in the clear. The last thing you’d want to get during your celebration is a ticket or court summons.
Below you’ll find a list of places where you can buy fireworks:
Brick and Mortar Stores: If you live in one of the 42 states that allow fireworks, there’s a strong chance that you’ll find a fireworks retailer in your area. The big names to look out for are Phantom Fireworks and TNT Fireworks, but you can also find small businesses that specialize in fireworks. FireworksLocator.com
is a great resource you can use to locate the nearest fireworks store near you.
Fireworks stands: For states that only allow the sale of fireworks during certain times of the year, you’re likely to find ads for seasonal pop-up shops in your local newspaper. You may also find these pop-up shops at local malls and convenience store parking lots.
Online Retailers: There are many online retailers that sell both wholesale and individual fireworks, and they’re often cheaper than purchasing fireworks from brick and mortar stores because they’re not bogged down by overhead costs and municipal taxes.
Once you’ve decided on where you’ll buy your fireworks from, it’s important to search for printable coupons and promocodes that will lower the price of your final purchase. Be sure to read our fireworks safety guide before setting off your fireworks!
