Published: July 02, 2009 09:59 pm      

Sparkling sales

Firework stands pleased with sales this year

Firework sales have shown promise this year despite competition and a struggling economy.

Justin Herrold, employee at Ulery’s Fireworks, said the locally owned fireworks stand had been in business for 29 years and sales had been on target compared to previous years.

“I’d say they’ve been pretty good,” he said. “We’ve really started picking up the past week, which is pretty typical. We open in late May or early June, but most business doesn’t come until the third or fourth.”

Jessica Middleton, manager at the eastside fireworks store, said sales had been decent at both its east and west locations.

“It’s definitely been picking up in the past couple weeks,” she said. “It’s not really a surprise because everyone buys fireworks.”

She also believes setting up locations on both sides of town has helped sales.

“Not everyone gets out to both sides of town,” she said.

Having more time to celebrate over the weekend, since the holiday falls on a Saturday, has also helped sales.

“No matter what, though, people are going to do things for the Fourth of July,” she said.

Herrold said he had seen a variety of people shopping for items, adding that over the years many of the faces have become familiar.

At Ulery’s Fireworks, younger people have bought bottle rockets, firecrackers and Roman candles. Herrold added those celebrating with their own parties are purchasing “cake” fireworks, which fly into the air and create large bursts of color. Mortar shells and the 500-gram fireworks are also popular for backyard shows.

Logansport resident Crickitt Riewoldt stopped by the fireworks store Wednesday evening with her children, Richard, 8, and Addison, 5.

Even though she bought a larger package of fireworks from another store, she was looking for certain types of fireworks to finish the collection.

“I got the little stuff today,” she said. “Tanks, cars, lanterns and killer bees. When I was little, I used the lanterns and tanks and wanted to see if they still had them.”

The family plans on attending the fireworks show at Fairview Park, followed by their own celebration at home. This year, Crickitt said the family ended up buying a few more items than in the past, simply because her children are older and can stay awake longer.

Middleton believes there is one reason people don’t hold back when it comes to spending money for fireworks.

“The Fourth of July only comes around once a year,” she said.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com